Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) organise Harmony Day each year as an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate what makes each Australian unique and to share what we all have in common. 

 

Since Harmony Days beginnings in 1999, DIAC have promoted and supported a range of community events and activities across the nation in celebration of Harmony Day each year on March 21st, and it seems the tradition is growing in popularity. 

 

Over the years, Harmony Day has attracted wide support from a variety of community groups, including sports organizations, schools, businesses and local governments who want to stage their own Harmony Day events. 

 

According to Senator Kate Lundy, the Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, 

 

“One of the wonderful aspects of Harmony Day is that communities themselves decide on how they would like to mark the occasion, showing their support for the diversity of our nation and the strength of our communities.”

 

The Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen, said that Harmony Day provided an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate what makes our nation so great, and to recognise and appreciate the benefits of Australia’s culturally diverse population. 

 

'Harmony Day is a time to celebrate our nation’s diversity and share what we have in common,' Mr Bowen said.

 

The theme for this year’s 2011 Harmony Day was Everyone Belongs. The slogan was intended to represent that all Australians are a welcome part of our country, regardless of their background or where they were born, to reflect on where Australia has come from, and where it is going, and to celebrate the different cultures and experiences that make Australia such a great place to live. 

 

Minister Bowen stated “Australia’s successful multicultural society and our democracy are built around shared rights and responsibilities that are fundamental to living in Australia and that’s what Harmony Day is all about.”

 

The enormous participation in Harmony Day events this year indicate that the Australian community are increasingly aware of and positive about cultural diversity in Australia, and a recognition of the benefits that cultural diversity offer communities and the nation as a whole.