Harmony Day dispute: ‘Not every national day needs to focus on discrimination’

Multicultural leaders back ‘important’ Harmony Day after a racism watchdog said the event ‘hides systemic racism’.

Yezidi community member Year 6 student Dleman Barakat shares her experiences at the Darling Heights State School Harmony Day celebration in 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

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A member of the federal government’s Australian Multicultural Council says “not every national day needs to focus on discrimination” after a racism watchdog warned schools celebrating Harmony Day that the event “hides systemic racism’’.

The Australian Human Rights Commission has complained that Australia’s decision to rename International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination as Harmony Day in 1999 “turned the day from a protest against ­racial discrimination into a celebration’’.

The AHRC also told schools that “focus on harmony can gloss over ­racism’’ and “damage … our anti-racism ­efforts’’.

Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann, of Victoria’s Modern Orthodox Jewish congregation, the ARK Centre, said “having a nationally dedicated day to celebrate our diverse histories and traditions is part of our uniquely Australian society”.

“It is a good thing we have this time where we can come together and learn positive things about the different cultures that make up our great country – a practice that helps break down barriers and bring us closer together. Not every national day needs to focus on discrimination,” he said.

Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann from the Ark Centre at the Chanukah celebration in Melbourne. Picture: Brendan Kearns

The head of a recent government review into multiculturalism, Bulent Hass Dellal, said communities across Australia, in public consultations between July and October last year, told them: “don’t take (Harmony Day/Week celebrations) away from us”.

As part of the federal government’s Multicultural Framework Review, Dr Dellal said the public was “loud and clear” in wanting March 21 to be observed as the IDERD, while celebrating the rest of the week as “Harmony Week”, which is what the panel recommended.

“We should observe the day for what it is, but not scrap Harmony Week. Harmony Week is important,” he said.

Dr Dellal, who is also the chair of the Australian Multicultural Foundation, said Harmony Week was “not just coming together and having a party” and “doesn’t harm, but strengthens” anti-­racism efforts.

He said schools needed the ­opportunity to demonstrate how racism was being eliminated in their communities. “The rest of the Harmony Week events should continue to reflect the ­activities, momentum and strength of the Australian community coming together, to demonstrate through events, educational activities, and cultural celebrations, addressing ­racism and discrimination.”

Hass Dellal is chair of the Australian Multicultural Foundation. Picture: Josie Hayden

Many childcare centres and schools have embraced Harmony Day as a way for children to learn about different cultures by sharing food, dressing in traditional costumes, learning songs and dances, and enjoying visits from family members and Indigenous elders.

“The renaming of this day hides the longstanding systemic racial discrimination many people have faced in Australia,’’ the AHRC states in a new “fact sheet for schools’’.

“Calling this commemoration Harmony Day/Week causes harm to our collective anti-­racism journey by undermining efforts to identify and address the harm experienced by communities because of racism.’’

Dr Dellal said: “I don’t know how it does that.”

Christine Castley, speaking in her capacity as CEO of Multicultural Australia, said the United Nation’s IDERD has always been on March 21, but that Harmony Week “should continue” and “has a relevance”, saying “we saw no reason why these two ideas need to compete”.

Ms Castley, who is also the chair of the government’s Australian Multicultural Council, said the debate was “pretty much settled” in terms of continuing with Harmony Week.

“We should be able to celebrate the strength, the success of our diverse history and people, and embrace it for what it has brought to this country … but similarly we should be aware of the issues that continue and ­acknowledge that racism and discrimination exist.”

Faith NSW’s Murray Norman said “it is more important than ever to put a spotlight on harmony and collaboration”.

“While the name is important, it’s more important that these days are not just tokenistic but ­actually are an opportunity to reflect, educate and act,” Mr Norman said.

“The real questions are: What are we trying to achieve with days such as this? … How are we empowering communities?”