Southern Cross University staff and students shared the flavours of international food to celebrate national Harmony Day on Monday, March 21.
Events were held at all three Gold Coast and Tweed campuses simultaneously
Harmony Day, held annually, coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and is aimed at highlighting the importance of cultural diversity.
Students and staff at campuses from the Gold Coast and Tweed, to Lismore and Coffs Harbour, invited members of the community to join in the colourful celebrations at all the University locations, encouraging them to wear the Harmony Day colour – orange and to follow the theme ‘everyone belongs’.
This year staff and students enjoyed an orange-themed morning tea, featuring an orange cake and orange drinks.
Attendees to celebrations at the Gold Coast and Lismore were also invited to sign their name on orange banners that will be given as a gift to students and staff of Tohoku University in the Sendai region of Japan as a sign of support and solidarity following the recent devastating events.
Celebrations at the Coffs Harbour campus ran from 11am to 1pm outside the D block theatre and included an International Food Exchange and activities such as Chinese dancing and henna painting led by international students.
Students were also invited to design and decorate their own ‘diversity cup cake’
Equity and Diversity manager Rachel Callahan said Harmony Day encouraged respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
“Harmony Day provides an opportunity for the Southern Cross University community to celebrate our culturally diverse society,” said Ms Callahan
“We wore the Harmony Day colour of orange to say ‘no’ to racism and show our commitment to community harmony.
“Each year, the key message is ‘everyone belongs’. It’s aimed at getting people of all cultural backgrounds together to promote respect and to celebrate the importance and benefits of a rich and diverse community.”
