ACCL/Aspire believes it’s important to acknowledge the strength we find in our cultural diversity but it is also of paramount importance that we do not avoid the conversations that question why 75 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the urgency of combatting racism and racial discrimination remains.
ACCL/Aspire commits to every day, each and every one of us can stand up against racial prejudice and disrespectful attitudes. Let’s build a world beyond racism and discrimination, where we all exercise our human rights.
So this year when you celebrate Harmony Week – we ask you to also make a commitment to call out Racism – Condemn It for without this commitment – there will never really be Harmony.
Hockey – Our cultural diversity
- Did you know that hockey is currently played in over 137 countries around the world?
- It is played in Europe/Asia/Africa/North and South America/ South Pacific Islands/Australia and New Zealand
- A very multicultural sport.
Australia is a vibrant and multicultural country — from the oldest continuous culture of our first Australians to the cultures of our newest arrivals from around the world.
Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are. It makes Australia a great place to live.
An integrated multicultural Australia is an integral part of our national identity. All people who migrate to Australia bring with them some of their own cultural and religious traditions, as well as taking on many new traditions. Collectively, these traditions have enriched our nation.
There are some fascinating statistics about Australia’s diversity that can be good conversation-starters:
- nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was
- we identify with over 300 ancestries
- since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia
- 85 per cent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia
- apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi
- more than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia.
These facts are taken from ABS 2016 Census Data. Check out the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
National celebrations for Harmony Week also includes 21 March, which is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
No country can claim to be free of racism, racism is a global concern, and tackling it requires a universal effort.
— Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA
75 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the urgency of combatting racism and racial discrimination remains.
Every day, each and every one of us can stand up against racial prejudice and disrespectful attitudes. Let’s build a world beyond racism and discrimination, where we all exercise our human rights.
Be a human rights champion! Join us in fighting racism!