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promotes understanding and tolerance. Narrambundah primary school, which the Special
Rapporteur visited and which teaches children of diverse ethnic backgrounds, notably Aboriginal
children, operates in the same spirit, integrating an Aboriginal dimension in the design of its
curricula;
(c)
The celebration of Harmony Day on 21 March (coinciding with the International
Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination) all over Australia is an occasion to reinforce
social cohesion. The Council for Multicultural Australia, the Special Broadcasting Services
(SBS) and DIMA organize in various sectors - the workplace, schools and universities, sports
clubs - activities in accordance with the Living in Harmony programme.
40.
At the Commonwealth, state and territory levels are several institutions that have been
created or endowed with the responsibility to draft and implement the various programmes and
actions taken by the Government to enhance multiculturalism in Australia. Some of these
institutions are presented below:
(a)
The Special Broadcasting Services (SBS) is a national multicultural and
multilingual broadcaster unique in the world. It broadcasts in more than 60 languages, and
reaches a potential audience of about 18 million Australians. SBS Radio is the world’s most
linguistically diverse radio network, broadcasting in 68 languages to a potential audience of
more than 2.5 million;
(b)
The National Multicultural Advisory Council was established by the
Commonwealth Government in July 1994 for a period of three years and in 1997 for a further
three years. It was asked to develop a report that would recommend a policy and implementation
framework for the next decade that is aimed at ensuring that cultural diversity is a unifying force
for Australia. In 1999 the Council developed the report Australian multiculturalism for a new
century: towards inclusiveness, consulting widely with the community. Its conclusion is that the
Council is optimistic about Australia’s future as a culturally diverse society and confident that
Australian multiculturalism will continue to be a defining feature of the evolving national
identity and contribute to substantial benefits for all Australians. The Council’s vision is of a
united and harmonious Australia, built on the foundations of democracy, and developing its
continually evolving nationhood by recognizing, embracing, valuing and investing in its heritage
and cultural diversity. Inclusiveness is the key to the principles of Australian multiculturalism
recommended by the Council;
(c)
The Council for Multicultural Australia (CMA) was established in July 2000, for
an initial three-year period. It assists the Commonwealth Government to implement the
New Agenda, particularly to raise awareness and understanding of Australian multiculturalism.
The Council reports annually to the Prime Minister and to the Minister for Immigration and
Multicultural Affairs. It is supported by DIMA and its objectives are to promote inclusiveness,
benefits and harmony in a multicultural society;