This day has usually been known as ‘Harmony Day’ in Australia. Over time it has evolved into Harmony Week. The current state of the world today has raised questions about how the word “harmony” hides structural and systemic racism. Hiding the true meaning of this day under a mask of ‘harmony’ actively harms our collective anti-racism journey by obscuring structural and systemic racism. Sadly this has been ongoing for many Indigenous children, but with the ongoing world turmoil this has increased dramatically, impacting on more young people according to their religion and or race, culture.
“Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds.
It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) is a key date
In this week.
While Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s rich cultural diversity, it is also important to focus on the urgency of combating racism wherever and whenever it arises.”


The Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international Human Rights agreement (also known as a human rights treaty) that outlines the specific rights that children and young people can claim. By signing up to this Convention, national governments commit to protecting these rights in their countries.


“Considering that the child should be fully prepared to live an individual life in society, and brought up in the spirit of the ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity.” (ohchr.org)
Australia has signed up, ratified this Convention and this means that Australia has a duty to make sure that all children/young people enjoy the rights in this treaty. Big Banter is a version of Children’s Rights produced by the Australian Human Rights Commission in a version easily read and understood by young people and other information, including short videos about Children’s Rights. 

“In our turbulent international globalized landscape, a central message must be heralded: peace is more than the absence of war, it is living together with our differences – of sex, race, language, religion or culture – while furthering universal respect for justice and human rights on which such coexistence depends. Peace is a choice to be made on each situation, an everyday life decision to engage in sincere dialogue with other individuals and communities.” (UNESCO)

The life and work of Janusz Korczak formed the foundation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Our actions today can help more young people know about the rights they are entitled to and for children to live their rights, therefore with freedom and safety to be respected for who they are!