Today marks the start of Harmony Week 2022, an important occasion to highlight inclusiveness, respect, and belonging for all Australians, especially those from diverse cultural backgrounds and faiths.

Tonight, Canberra monuments will light up in orange, Harmony Week’s official colour. Canberrans are also encouraged to wear orange this week.

Tara Cheyne, ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs, said she was proud of the ACT’s diversity, and the value Canberrans place on a culturally and linguistically diverse community.

“Harmony Week brings a welcome opportunity to celebrate this rich cultural diversity, and to highlight some of the work being done to ensure Canberra is welcoming and inclusive for everyone.”

This Harmony Week, the ACT will join the UNHCR Cities #withrefugees Campaign. By signing the statement of solidarity, Canberra will join more than 250 cities worldwide that are committed to embracing refugees and helping them settle in their new home.

Adrian Edward, regional representative of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), congratulated Canberra for joining the campaign.

“For the nation’s capital to be doing so at this moment in time, when we are witnessing so much conflict and suffering in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and elsewhere sends an especially timely and meaningful message of compassion from Australia to the world.”

On Harmony Day in 2019, the ACT joined the Welcoming Cities Network – a national network of cities, shires, towns, and municipalities committed to an Australia where everyone can belong, and participate in social, cultural, economic, and civic life.

Last November, the ACT achieved the ‘Established’ level of the Welcoming Cities Standard, and is working towards attaining the ‘Advanced’ level accreditation.

• Canberra is fourth ‘Established’ Welcoming City

Fifty community organisations will share in $180,000 funding for projects, programs, and initiatives that promote community inclusion and build better social connection under the Participation Multicultural Grants Program.

Ms Cheyne said she was “delighted by the breadth of projects” receiving funding this year; they would “foster a sense of belonging in our great city”.

Multicultural communities have received more than $170,000 from National Multicultural Festival Grants to participate in or host events in 2022.

• Multicultural festival postponed to 2023

Geoff Wallace, a grant recipient from ACT Maori Performing Arts, was “thrilled” to share his culture with the Canberra community. He said his project builds friendships and connection while teaching participants about native plants and caring for the environment.