Generations connect to celebrate diversity
21 March 2009
Auburn Migrant Resource Centre's Harmony Day event provides a great opportunity for young refugees and senior citizens to come together and celebrate Australia's diversity, the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, said today.
The Harmony Day event at Sydney Olympic Park is part of this year's Harmony Day celebrations and Senior Citizens Week.
‘Many young refugees in Australia do not have the benefit of support and guidance from senior role models,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘This Harmony Day event provides a great opportunity for them to get together with senior citizens to build relationships by sharing experiences.
‘It is also apt that today's celebrations coincide with Senior Citizens Week, as it is our seniors who have helped lay the foundation for our inclusive and cohesive society.’
Harmony Day 2009 has seen schools, community groups and organisations across Australia hosting more than 4200 celebrations.
‘These types of celebrations are particularly important in Auburn, which is part of the electorate of Reid, where close to half of the residents were born overseas and some 70 per cent speak two or more languages,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘They provide an opportunity for people from a variety of backgrounds to get together to explore and appreciate the rich diversity that exists in Australia.’
Harmony Day is part of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's Diverse Australia Program, which helps local communities address cultural, racial and religious intolerance.
Media contact: Carla Wilshire 0432 755 935
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2009/lf09016.htm
Last update: 23 March 2009 at 08:37 AEST