Harmony Week Activities to Celebrate in the Classroom

As Harmony Week approaches (Monday, 18 to Sunday, 24 March 2024), it is an exciting opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge diversity within the Australian community and bring people together. This blog post explores Harmony Week Activities to celebrate in the classroom.

As one of the world’s most culturally diverse countries, Australia takes pride in its cultural diversity, a defining aspect of our national identity. Over half of Australians are first generation migrants or come from a migrant background, contributing to the diversity of Australia. This annual celebration symbolises inclusiveness, respect, celebrate diversity and fosters a profound sense of belonging for everyone.

Harmony Week has been supported by the Australian Federal Government since 1999, and there are many activities that can share the richness of our collective diversity in commemoration of this annual celebration. In this piece, we will explore how teachers can celebrate Harmony Week in classroom celebrations, facilitating representation of members of the school community and meaningful connections.

What is Harmony Week?

Harmony Day, observed on March 21^st, holds significant importance, marked as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This day serves as a reminder to take a stand against racial discrimination and embrace our collective diversity. It also marks the remembrance of the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, that arose from protests against the apartheid system in South Africa. In response to the tragic event, the United Nations intervened and proposed a week of solidarity among member states to collectively oppose racism in 1979. This annual observance serves as a poignant reminder of the distressing experience and challenges faced by racial minorities.

In 1999, the Howard government in Australia introduced ‘Harmony Day’, to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, focusing on building a more united multicultural society. The Department of Home Affairs takes the lead in Australia in celebrating Harmony Week, which is all about recognising and celebrating diversity, with inclusion activities happening throughout the entire week.

In 2019, the Department of Home Affairs expanded the celebration, rebranding it as ‘Harmony Week’ to better acknowledge the diversity and inclusion activities occurring throughout the week, particularly in schools and workplaces. Harmony Week, celebrated from Monday to Sunday during the week that includes March 21, is dedicated to celebrating Australia’s rich multicultural heritage. This year, under the theme “Everyone Belongs,” Harmony Week is scheduled from Monday, March 18 to Sunday, March 24 2024.

Here are our recommendations for enjoyable activities that teachers can integrate into their classrooms to promote the spirit of Harmony Week!

1. Embrace the spirit of Harmony Week by adding a pop of orange to your style or embracing a Traditional Attire Day!

As part of the lively celebrations during Harmony Week, we are encouraged to incorporate a touch of orange into our outfits, symbolising unity and our shared commitment to an inclusive Australia. Teachers and schools are encouraged to source orange ribbons to distribute to the students throughout their Harmony Week celebrations. The colour orange not only embodies social communication and meaningful conversations, but also resonates with the freedom of ideas and the promotion of mutual respect.

For students, this is the perfect opportunity to share their cultural heritage by dressing in traditional clothing. Arrange a mini fashion show, where students not only present their attire but also take a moment to explain the cultural significance behind their clothes. It is a wonderful way to connect, learn, and appreciate the diverse backgrounds that make up your school community.

2. Share and try new meals for Harmony Week: Host a Multicultural Food Day!

They say the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, and what better way to spread joy than by sharing delicious food and stories of our cultural backgrounds? Host a multicultural food day in your classroom, encouraging students to bring in dishes that represent their cultural backgrounds. Alternatively, spice things up with a fun cooking show where students and parents can team up to prepare a simple dish, all while sharing the fascinating stories behind the recipes.

Cultural Infusion has a Recipes for Harmony Educational Supplement, packed with fantastic ideas for families looking to add a dash of cultural flair to their kitchen adventures!

3. Book an Incursion For Harmony Week with Cultural Infusion!

Recognising the importance of living harmoniously in our diverse world, the Australian Curriculum now considers Intercultural Understanding as a fundamental General Capability. This aspect is important for equipping young individuals to become responsible citizens, both locally and globally. Cultural Infusion provides a diverse range of resources and cultural education programs for students. These resources are designed to assist students in embracing and exploring the rich diversity of cultures around the world, which you can book easily through our website.

By emphasising this aspect in their education, we ensure that students are well-equipped for collaborative living and working in our interconnected 21st century world.

Promoting intercultural understanding to students is crucial, and it can be achieved through enjoyable activities and engaging experiences that make learning more dynamic. The most effective way to understand and embrace a culture is through personal experience. Cultural Infusion also collaborates with diverse presenters to lead your students on an engaging exploration of various cultures, which cater to all year levels and encompass a global array of traditions and customs.

Professional Development

Cultural Infusion offers a wide array of curriculum-aligned programs and resources specifically designed for educators aiming to cultivate intercultural understanding, available in both virtual and in-person formats across the nation. Our Professional Development programs encompass topics such as:

We are excited to share that for any bookings with Cultural Infusion, our Learning Lands platform will now be available for teachers/educators to access for free for 3 months. You’ll get to enjoy all that Learning Lands has to offer; with integrated teaching resources, hundreds of lesson plans that are Australian Curriculum coded, digital tools, videos, links and a digital music studio of instruments from around the world. Our resources are designed to foster empathy, critical and creative thinking, and a deeper understanding of different cultures.

Multicultural Half-Day or All-Day Program

Discover the vibrant world of diversity with Cultural Infusion’s Multicultural All Day or Half Day Program. You have the flexibility to choose between three or five presenters, and we will customise the schedule to fit seamlessly with your school’s bell times. Whether you prefer a deep dive into one specific culture, language, or topic, or you want to embark on a journey exploring a variety of cultures from around the globe, this program will have you covered. This program is your way to a tailored and enriching multicultural experience.

One popular program to include in your Multicultural All Day is Bollywood Infusion, which present an energetic dance session in which participants will delve into the history and cultural significance of Bollywood and learn some moves, as well as, gaining insight into the symbolism behind various dance movements.

Touring Program – Melanesian Infusion

This year, we also have a touring program on offer, Melanesian Infusion, which immerses students in the rich cultural experience of Solomon Islands and the traditional art forms untouched by the outside world. Natty, a prominent figure from the Lau Tribe as our presenter, aims to preserve the traditional cultures by sharing knowledge and providing a global experience and perspective unique to Melanesia through various activities such as, storytelling, traditional singing, instruments, and dance from the Solomon Islands. This program will be available in Victoria for March and April – perfect for Harmony Week activites, and you can easily book through this link!

Book a Cultural Education Program for Harmony Week today!

Our cultural incursions cater to all year levels and audiences; providing interactive, vibrant, and memorable programs. With a wide range of program options available Australia-wide, we celebrate diversity and cultures from around the world Enquire today to explore how we can collaborate and create unforgettable cultural experiences that reflect the spirit of Harmony Week. Book a program through our enquiry form or contact us directly at 1800 010 069. Our Education and Experiences Team is always eager to assist. Secure the program of your choice to celebrate diversity, promote a sense of togetherness and enjoy 3 months of free intercultural education resources!