La Trobe University Postgraduate Association Inc. (LUPA)

News Item

Walk for Harmony

Published 03-07-2009

1. Background to the Walk for Harmony: On 2 June, the Premier announced his intention to lead a walk for harmony to encourage Victorians to publicly show their support for cultural diversity and to highlight the Victorian Government’s stance against racial and religious discrimination and violence. Victoria has developed a reputation both nationally and internationally, for being a harmonious, inclusive and accepting society. However, incidences of discrimination based on culture or religion have threatened this reputation, most recently with a number of violent attacks on International students of Indian descent.

2. The Walk is a chance to: To demonstrate that Victorians value our cultural, linguistic and religious diversity and to showcase Victoria as an accepting and harmonious community that is built on mutual respect and acceptance and opposed to racial discrimination. To promote the fact that diversity is inclusive and not divisive – it is something that we must protect.

3. Details of the Walk The Walk will begin at the Southern end of the Carlton Gardens at 1:00 pm on Sunday 12 July. It will proceed along La Trobe Street to Swanston Street then continue on to Federation Square. At the conclusion of the walk, participants will hear from speakers and enjoy a brief musical performance. The event is expected to conclude around 3:30 pm. For further details: http://www.harmony.gov.au/