Intro
The week runs from 15 to 21 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.
Harmony Week celebrates our diversity while working to remove barriers that still exist in the community.
Start planning now!
Take part in the many events that take place in Perth and all over WA during Harmony Week or think up some of your own - our Harmony Week Kit will help.
See the Harmony Week Kit for ideas on celebrations for communities, businesses, government organisations, schools and individuals — make sure you're ready to take part in Harmony Week 2019!
Harmony Week Events Calendar
Email OMI with your Harmony Week events and they'll publicise them on the Office of Multicultural Interest's Community events calendar.
Then send your photos to harmony@omi.wa.gov.au or tag them with #WAHarmony and OMI will add them to the Multicultural community event photo gallery
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 State 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.