Harmony Week, which runs from March 15 to 21, is an opportunity for everyone to appreciate Western Australia’s wealth of cultural diversity and the many social and economic benefits that this brings to us all.
Dozens of events will be held across the State with $55,000 in support from the Office of Multicultural Interests’ (OMI’s) Community Grants Program.
Harmony Week, an initiative of the State Government, features festivals, performances, workplace gatherings, school projects, debates and forums all aimed at exploring WA’s rich and diverse heritage.
Parliament House will be bathed in orange light as part of the week-long celebrations, along with many other Perth landmarks including the Bell Tower, Elizabeth Quay Bridge and Yagan Square.
Stunning Harmony Week banners, featuring artwork from local artist Alina Tang, will adorn Kings Park Road from March 11 to 25. The banners have been sponsored by WA businesses and community groups keen to express their commitment to cultural diversity and multiculturalism.
Harmony Week gives everyone the opportunity to reflect on WA’s unique and evolving cultural diversity. Data from the 2016 ABS Census shows that:
- The proportion of people born overseas is larger in WA (32.2 per cent) compared with the national figure of 26.3 per cent;
- 53 per cent of Western Australians have one or both parents born overseas;
- More than 240 languages are spoken in Western Australia (including Aboriginal languages);
- 17.7 per cent of Western Australians speak a language other than English at home; and
- The fastest growing religions in WA are Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism.
For more information about Harmony Week, including events that are happening around the State, visit http://www.omi.wa.gov.au