Harmony Day celebrations embrace diversity

Locals are invited to taste cuisine from eight different nationalities, listen to Indian Bhajan singing and watch an African Drum and Dance Group at the University of Southern Queensland's (USQ) Harmony Day celebrations on Wednesday 2 April 2008.

An initiative of the Commonwealth Government to encourage people to say no to racism, Harmony Day aims to reaffirm shared values as a community and celebrate Australia's advancements as a multicultural society.

Manager of USQ's Multicultural Centre William Conwell said the day was a great opportunity to show the community the breadth of culture on campus.

'Harmony Day is an opportunity for the whole University community and the local community to see the cultural diversity here on campus,' Mr Conwell said.

'It gives the students opportunities to do things they might not otherwise get to do and show skills that may otherwise be hidden.'

One student showing her skills is accounting student Gloria Shi who will sing traditional Chinese Folk songs.

'My mother taught me how to sing Chinese folk songs. One song is from my mother's home town, it is a love song. The second is from a long history and has lyrics from the Song dynasty.'

Gloria said she has been singing since she was five years old and wanted to take part in Harmony Day this year to show people the Chinese culture.

New to the activities line-up this year is a performance from a Liberian group in Toowoomba and the Gunado Indigenous Dancers.

Food stalls will be offering tastes of the Philippines, Liberia, Thailand, China, Sudan, Papua New Guinea and Italy to name a few.

'A great way to share cultures is through food,' Mr Conwell said.

'Different types of food allows you to taste the different cultures.'

Information stalls on multicultural resources, Kendo, international languages and the environment will also operate on the day.

Harmony Day celebrations begin at 12 noon in the USQ Quadrangle. For more information visit the website www.usq.edu.au/multicultural/projectsevents/harmony or call William Conwell on 07 4631 1678.

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559