ONE WORLD FESTIVAL - HARMONY DAY
The Federal electorate of Berowra, stretches from Wiseman’s Ferry to Cheltenham Annangrove to Cowan and is home to people from a wealth of nations.
While the majority of the community is Australian-born, people from some thirty countries around the world have chosen to make this area their home. The largest groups have come from the United Kingdom, China, India, Indonesia and the Philippines.
According to local Federal MP Philip Ruddock, ‘we are all the richer for that diversity.’
A former Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Ruddock has a deep and abiding personal interest in these matters.
‘Australians are generous and hospitable, strong believers in the philosophy of giving one another a fair go’.
To foster this, Mr Ruddock helped initiate the Harmony Day programme in 1999 with the aim of promoting the harmonious coming together of so many diverse cultures and backgrounds.
‘I think the phrase ‘we are one, but we are many’ encapsulates the sort of nation we want to be. We may be different, but we can all belong’.
Discussion about immigration is not always easy, but Mr Ruddock says it is most important.
‘When discussing Australia’s immigration program, the focus should not be on size, but rather on composition.’
‘Research very clearly shows that skilled migration is the most beneficial to Australia, with migrants helping to build our nation’s future through their employment and productivity.’
Mr Ruddock believes that, rather than have laws telling people not to discriminate, promotion of the value of maintaining a strong and cohesive society should be emphasised.
‘This is where the Living in Harmony project has been as successful as it has set out to address the sorts of ugly incidents which arose from the Pauline Hanson debate rather than exacerbate it.’
The philosophy of Living in Harmony has been taken up strongly throughout schools, where activities and events are held underscoring the value of each individual and their background.
‘This year’s theme of ‘Everyone Belongs’ encourages us all to look closely at our community, recognising its unique blend of people from so many lands.’
‘Each community is a mosaic of diversity in which we should all take part and celebrate.’
Mr Ruddock said he did feel a sense of disappointment that no funding was made available by the Rudd Government for Harmony Day events this year.
‘From its initiation in 1999 to 2007, over four thousand community groups and organisations had lodged funding applications, a clear indication of the interest within the community to support the program.’
Hon Philip Ruddock MP
Federal Member for Berowra
16th March 2010