Harmony Week highlights humanity's best after severe weather events
- Harmony Week is a chance to recognise multicultural communities supporting those impacted by recent weather events.
- Theme of 'Everyone belongs' promotes respect and inclusion.
- Harmony Week is held from 17-23 March nationally.
This year's Harmony Week is a chance to celebrate Queenslanders of diverse cultural backgrounds, including those who have worked hard as volunteers, first responders and good neighbours to keep the community safe in recent weather events.
Harmony Week, which is marked across Australia, recognises the valuable social and economic contributions that different cultures bring to our communities.
The week also aligns with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March.
Queenslanders can show their support for Harmony Week by wearing the colour orange, which signifies communication, freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect.
More than one in five Queenslanders were born overseas, hailing from more than 220 countries and territories.
Nominations for the 2025 Multicultural Queensland Awards – recognising those who go above and beyond to foster a more inclusive and harmonious society – will close in less than two weeks.
Minister for Multiculturalism Fiona Simpson said it was extremely heartening to see Queenslanders of all backgrounds come together in the spirit of shared humanity to help each other during tough times.
"Over the past few weeks there have been many acts of kindness and care which demonstrate the strengths and beauty of our diverse communities fully participating economically and socially in Queensland's way of life," Minister Simpson said.
"During the recent North Queensland floods and ex-Tropical Cyclone in the South East, I met volunteers from diverse backgrounds reaching out to keep communities safe and connected.
"Harmony Week is a great way to recognise and respect our diversity but also champion social cohesion and shared humanity, which puts people first regardless of race.
"We must continue to foster an environment where multicultural communities want to call Queensland home and work together to build a prosperous, fair and harmonious state, breaking down barriers to enable full inclusion.
"No matter where you come from, no matter what your background, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and there is no place for racial discrimination in our State, or country."
CEO of Multicultural Australia Christine Castley said Harmony Week was a time not just to stop and reflect, but to also take action.
"There are so many wonderful, diverse cultures, faiths and ethnicities that shape who we are as Australians, and true unity comes from embracing and celebrating our differences," Ms Castley said.
"Multiculturalism at its core is about the everyday actions we take, how we treat one another, how we listen, and how we create spaces for everyone to feel welcome.
"I encourage all Queenslanders to take the spirit of Harmony Week beyond today, and to remember that true harmony comes from the values we all share - kindness, empathy, respect; and for a better future based on dignity and equality for all."
