Harmony Day 

Harmony Day is the day dedicated to celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity, and is timed to coincide with the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Harmony Day is celebrated on march 21 and has been celebrated in Australia since 1999.

Since then, more than 25000 Harmony Day events have been held by a wide range of community, sporting and cultural organization. Harmony Day events are supported by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, which provides free promotional material. Events include sporting activities, food festivals, dance or music performances, or simply bringing people together to talk and share stories. The theme for 2012 is “Sport – play engage, inspire” in recognition of the positive role sport plays in uniting people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Harmony Day celebrates the fact that Australia is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world approximately one in four of Australia’s population was born overseas and around 44 per cent were either born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas. Australians identify with more than 270 ancestries, speak over 260 languages and practice a wide range of religions.
The largest source countries for Australia’s overseas-born are the United Kingdom and New Zealand, followed by China, India and Italy. Some other fascinating statistics about Australia's diversity are:

• Nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was
• We identify with over 300 ancestries
• Since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia
• 85 per cent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia
• Apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi
• More than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia

Orange is the color chosen to represent Harmony Week. Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. Australians can choose to wear something orange during Harmony Week to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.

  Red nose day is celebrated two days prior to the harmony day (March 19). On this day, every dollar raised on Red Nose Day helps stop little lives being cut short and ensures every grief-stricken family gets the support they need