What is Harmony Week, and why does it matter?

The game of cricket knows no language - in fact, the sport has been known to unite people across borders, cultures, and backgrounds. So it was quite disappointing when, early this year, an ugly video surfaced on social media.

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A group of Australian fans at the MCG were seen chanting, “Where’s your visa?” at Indian supporters.

A day that should have been about our passion for the game, a day that should have united us, quickly turned into a reminder that racism, however subtle or blatant, still lingers in our country.

But this kind of behaviour isn’t what Australia is known for. On the contrary, as a nation, we’ve made significant strides in fostering multiculturalism and combating discrimination.

And Harmony Week isn’t just a day that you send your kids to school in your only orange T-shirt… It’s another ripple to set things right! A week of celebration to ensure our next generation grows up knowing that society (and sports) are richer when everyone belongs.

What is Harmony Week?

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Harmony Week started as Harmony Day but was expanded and renamed on its 20th anniversary in Australia in 2019. Lead by the Australian government, it’s celebrated annually around the 21st March every year, with community participation encouraged in daycares, schools, community groups and businesses right around the country.

Harmony Week is a reminder of all the things that make Australia great: diversity, inclusion, and respect.

Did you know that people from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds call Australia home, making it one of the world’s most culturally diverse countries? And that’s exactly what Harmony Week is about. Its primary objective is to celebrate Australia’s distinct multicultural community and uphold the values of inclusivity, regard, and unity.

Sound a bit like the United Nations International Day?

Well, that’s not a coincidence. Here’s why:

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United Nations International Day and Harmony Week

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Harmony Week takes place every year around March 21, which is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. (And for good reason! We want to amplify the message here.)

For the year 2025, that’s Monday the 17th until Sunday the 23rd of March 2025. (Mark your calendars and set aside your orange for this week!)

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The importance of Harmony Week

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Whether you were born overseas or right here in Australia, are an indigenous Australian, or have deep roots in the oldest continuous culture of Torres Strait Islander people, Harmony Week is about coming together to create an inclusive Australia.

Is Harmony Week really that big a deal? Well, to answer your question, yes!

For one, approximately 49% of Australians were born abroad or had a parent who was, and we want to appreciate and celebrate their heritage.

In fact, since Australia started first celebrating Harmony Week in 1999, we’ve gone on and had over 80,000 Harmony Week events in the country alone. These include events at childcare facilities, schools, churches, community groups, corporations, and even events at federal, state, and local government agencies. 

It’s one big, inclusive party- and it’ll only get bigger every year!

Harmony Week in numbers: who, what, and why it matters

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Since its inception in 1999, Harmony Week has expanded across Australia, uniting individuals from various backgrounds in workplaces, schools, community organisations, enterprises, and federal, state, and local government organisations.

Since the numbers don’t lie, here’s a look at the figures that highlight why this week is so important:

1. Nearly half (49%) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was.
2. Over 300 ancestries are represented across the country, making it one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world.
3. Since 1945, almost 7.5 million people have immigrated to Australia.
4. According to 85% of Australians, multiculturalism has benefited the nation.
5. The history of Indigenous people is preserved in Australia, where over 70 Indigenous languages are recognised. 

Uniting cultures, one celebration at a time

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Here’s the thing: racism doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. It’s learned. Those ‘visa’ comments came from a place of ignorance. And that’s exactly why it needs to be unlearned.

And Harmony Week gives us the perfect excuse to drown out the bigotry and replace it with diversity and joy. So, let’s cheer louder, celebrate harder, and make inclusion so loud that even the most stubborn naysayers can’t ignore it.

Harmony Week activity ideas

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Curious to know more? Well, thanks to this guide and a complete list of resources on Harmony Week’s official website, you do not have to reinvent the wheel. Or even design an invite. I mean, to spoil us, they’ve literally shared everything, including an event planning kit and an online promotion kit! (The bar has been raised high, and fighting racial discrimination has never been easier!)

Here are some activities to help you get those meaningful conversations started:

Schools and childcare centres

Host an ‘International Cuisine Day’ where students can taste dishes from different cultures or introduce children to cultural diversity through music, dance, and art activities inspired by traditions from around the world. At my children’s school, the kids are invited to wear clothing that represents their culture and background, or simply wear Orange!

Workplaces

Conduct cultural awareness workshops to promote inclusivity and understanding or display messages about diversity, equality, and belonging throughout the workplace. Or get your team to bring along a plate of food from their culture to share with the team.

Community groups, churches, and businesses

Sports clubs and athletic groups can organise friendly matches that bring people together. Government agencies can champion diversity by partnering with businesses, faith groups, and community organisations to promote a more inclusive Australia.

Keep it fun! Whip up games like Multilingual Tongue Twisters or break the ice with your own version of Diversity Bingo!

Wrapping Up

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Orange is the official colour of Harmony Day and Harmony Week, having been picked to signify freedom of expression, social communication, and the promotion of meaningful dialogue. Promoted to the color of unity, not just high-visibility vests!

So, if you see a sea of orange, don’t worry – you haven’t stumbled into a construction zone or a pumpkin festival. Australians everywhere will be wearing orange this Harmony Week to celebrate multiculturalism, inclusion, and respect.

It’s a bright, bold reminder that no matter where we come from, we all belong.