Express yourself this Harmony Day

‘Express yourself’ is this year’s national Harmony Day theme and staff and students across Southern Cross University’s three campuses are looking forward to sharing with others the importance of cultural diversity through action, performance, film, fashion and food.

Held annually on March 21, Harmony Day provides an opportunity to say ‘everyone belongs’ here in Australia, no matter where you come from or what your cultural or religious beliefs might be.

Members of the community are invited to come to all Southern Cross University campuses to take part in Harmony Day activities and to help celebrate the University’s multicultural community and the contribution it makes to intercultural understanding both on campus and in its local areas.

At the Lismore campus, activities will be held on Monday, March 22, with a Harmony Day cake and book display at the library from 10am. From 12.30pm - 2pm in Goodman Plaza there will be a Harmony Day café, international cuisine tasting, a bush food tasting and live music.

On Tuesday, March 23, there will be a Harmony Day film night, from 5.30pm-9pm, in the Whitebrook Theatre, in Y block, featuring a short talk by Dr Janie Conway-Herron on her work with women refugees in Burma. There will also be a number of short films around human rights issues and stories of opportunity faced by people from different cultures in their new homeland.

At the Coffs Harbour campus, there will be a Burmese photographic display and international food on Monday, March 22, from 11am to 1pm.

Celebrations at the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads campuses on Monday include Harmony Day displays and food. Details will soon be posted on the Harmony Day website.

Equity and Diversity manager Rachel Callahan said Harmony Day was aimed at getting people from all cultures involved and encouraging respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

“Each year, the key message of Harmony Day is ‘everyone belongs’. It’s about community participation, inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging.

“Australia is a land of many cultures, and Harmony Day is about celebrating and encouraging respect for this diversity and the cohesive and inclusive nature of our nation.”