Harmony Day – Everyone Belongs

Everyone belongs

Where they can sing their song

And live in harmony

With neighbors, friends, and family

Harmony Day began in 1999 and has been enthusiastically celebrated across Australia. It is held every year on 21st March. The key message for Harmony Day is that ‘everyone belongs’, reinforcing the importance of inclusiveness amongst all Australians.

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 percent 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.

Orange has been the Harmony Day color since the first day it was held in 1999. Traditionally the color orange relates to social communication, stimulating two-way conversations. It aids in the development of new ideas and frees the spirit of its limitations, giving us the freedom to be ourselves. At the same time, it encourages self-respect and respect for others.

Does everyone truly belong?

In a multicultural country like Australia, it’s easy for migrants to keep their heritage culture alive. However, research has shown that migrants who adapt to Australian society, called “Australian acculturation”, have greater personal well-being than those who don’t. Personal well-being refers to a person’s quality of life, measured at two levels. The first: how satisfied they are with their life overall. And the second: how satisfied they are with specific life domains, such as achievements, relationships, health, safety, community connectedness, and security.

For most migrants including myself, it is a case of biculturalism rather than full “Australian acculturation”. Full acculturation is when migrants abandon their heritage cultural practices and values when they adapt to the host culture. Biculturalism is maintaining our own culture and adding layers of cultural practices from our adopted country. Most migrants try and keep their culture alive through food, language, and social networks, whilst barracking for their favorite AFL team. However, when it comes to cricket you will be hard-pressed to Indian migrants supporting the Australian cricket team.

Having helped thousands of migrants from over 150 countries over the last 16 years, I have realized that migrants want to keep their own culture alive for reasons, such as pride in our heritage culture, a desire to maintain strong connections with relatives and friends, and pass on our culture and traditions to the next generation. Australia is culturally and socially enriched due to this. For instance, you can enjoy almost any cuisine locally as migrants have set up restaurants specializing in food from their home countries.

Australian’s are more likely to embrace cultural diversity when migrants to Australia make an effort to learn, understand and respect the Australian ways, culture and language and assimilate as best they can. Thankfully, most migrants understand this!

Will you be celebrating Harmony Day in some way? How do you think Australia can make new migrants feel more welcome? Let us know your thoughts here and on our social media channels.

Preeti D’silva

Registered Migration Agent/Education Agent

MARN 0530747

Better Life Migration

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