Harmony Week

Harmony Week

Harmony Week is an opportunity for all Western Australians to celebrate our vibrant multicultural State. The week runs in March every year and encourages everyone to experience, explore and appreciate WA's wealth of cultural, religious, linguistic and ethnic diversity. Harmony Week is a State Government multicultural community relations initiative.

Cultural diversity’s benefits

Harmony Week is an opportunity to consider the many benefits WA gains from its culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Benefits include job creation, improved skill levels, the introduction of new skills and networks, and improved economies of scale. The economic advantages are also many. Our diverse communities link us strongly with the rest of the world and increase our competitiveness in this global market.

Why Harmony Week?

Harmony Week originated in Western Australia and is this State's seven-day celebration and recognition of our cultural diversity. It began as 'Harmony Day', taking place on the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This day is observed on 21 March, the date of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre when police fired on a peaceful demonstration against apartheid in South Africa, killing 69 unarmed protestors. The WA Government changed Harmony Day to Harmony Week in 2003. Organising events over a week was a new approach from the practice of celebrating on 21 March, a date now reserved for reflection.

The above information was provided by the Office of Multicultural Interests.

Further Harmony Week information can be found on the State Government Website and the Harmony Week Resources for Community Organisations and Individuals.

Activity and Event Links

Supported by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to www.dss.gov.au for more information.