SHOWING UP | For Cultural Diversity and Artistic Freedom
While the very word 'diversity' is appearing on banned lists, we are proudly deepening our commitment to diversity, having been appointed as pro bono Secretariat for the Taskforce of Civil Society Observers of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which commemorates its 20th anniversary this year. (Yes, that was a mouthful.) Watch our colleague Amara Ben Amsara presenting at UNESCO in February and stay tuned for more as our Founder and CEO Peter Mousaferiadis will also be attending UNESCO soon! Back home in Australia, we have added new programs to our extensive offerings to schools, communities and organisations, including Swedish, Colombian, Thai, Macedonian, Arab, Māori and Polynesian programs and look ahead to some of our highlights. With great sorrow, we farewell a star and dear friend. Read on for more.
WRITING | New articles
As you (we hope) were sunbaking on a beautiful beach, Peter Mousaferiadis was at his desk, writing articles for The Mandarin on the ABC's diversity problem and for the Canberra Times on President Donald Trump's fateful first day back in the White House, which saw him rescinding a swathe of the previous administration's executive orders to promote equity and counter discrimination for specific communities. In this article, Peter argues that 'a reductive approach prevalent in DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] has led to rigid, divisive frameworks and created a binary: are you the oppressed or the oppressor?' and that the DEI industry needs to approach this work holistically and with more skill – but that doesn't mean we should stop doing the work. Please read both and join the conversations!
ENGAGING | Cultural Infusion was appointed a partner of the Australian National Commission for UNESCO in 2016.
Since 2022, we have been an Official Observer of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which commemorates its 20th anniversary this year. The 2005 Convention is a legal instrument to safeguard our cultural diversity and an important tool for defending the freedom of artists. This year, we have taken on an even greater responsibility – serving pro bono as the Secretariat for the Civil Society Organisations contributing their time and expertise to the Convention. This global network of more than 100 key organisations works pro bono to promote cultural diversity and strengthen the role of cultural expressions in education, policy, and society.
Our colleague Amna Ben Amara attended the 18th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions at UNESCO in Paris to champion a democratised approach to data as fundamentally important to the protection of cultural diversity and to voice our concerns around Artificial Intelligence.
- Watch video (2 mins) of some of Amara's intervention on 13 February for Cultural Infusion
WELCOMING | New Presenters and Programs
We have added the following new programs to our extensive offerings:
- Swedish Dance & Culture (QLD),
- Colombian–Caribbean Rhythms & Culture (NSW)
- Thai Infusion (QLD)
- Macedonian Dance & Culture (SA)
- Yalla! Arab Dance & Culture (NSW, VIC)
- Maori Infusion (Qld)
- Polynesian Infusion has been extended (now available in WA, QLD, NSW, SA, VIC).
We can't wait to share these dynamic programs with you!
CELEBRATING | Harmony Week (17 to 23 March): Everyone Belongs
Harmony Week is typically one of our busiest weeks of the year. Last year, we delivered more than 100 cultural incursions to more than 90 educational and community organisations across Australia, reaching thousands of people. We recognise the history of this week, which coincides with the commemoration of the 21 March 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa and the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. We don’t take Australia’s relative peace and harmony for granted and believe such events help sustain it.
The theme for Harmony Week this year is ‘Everyone belongs’. Book early to avoid missing out!
COOKING | Recipes For All
Food is a time-tested way of bringing communities together. If you need some inspiration for your Harmony Week celebrations, we recommend this free recipe book from the Department of Social Services.
ENGAGING | Pak Sumardi's Programs – Book Early to Avoid Missing Out!
We are excited to remind you of the return of Indonesian Master Storyteller Pak Sumardi to Australia this year to present puppet theatre and insights into Indonesian culture and these renowned ancient storytelling forms to schools, preschools and community groups around Australia, including Wayang Kancil, Wayang Golek and Wayang Kulit.
This is a rare opportunity to see one of the great practitioners of Wayang puppet theatre, which is inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Book now!
SHARING | Learning Lands Gift
Last year, we launched an initiative to give everyone who books a program with us three months’ free access to our Learning Lands suite of constantly updated intercultural education resources, comprising internationally award-winning apps, games and activities that integrate the arts, music, geography, history and Indigenous perspectives to put students at the forefront in intercultural competency. We have been delighted by the response to this offer and are pleased to keep it going.
NAKENYA | Alan Harris
We are deeply saddened by the death of a great friend and star Alan Harris, who was laid to rest on Friday 7 February in Ballarat with more than 1,000 people in attendance at the deeply moving funeral, including Peter Mousaferiadis and Aphrodite Simopolous, who have had a long, cherished friendship with Alan and his family, extending far beyond their professional ties. A recording of the funeral service is available for 12 months. Alan belonged to Bibbulmun culture, of the Noongar People from Western Australia. In the language of his people there is no word for 'goodbye'. The word instead of goodbye is 'nakenya', which literally means 'see you later'.
Alan inspired two generations of students and audiences across the globe. He was a deeply spiritual person and shared stories of his dreamtime with almost 2 million students over a period of 2 decades with a passion for storytelling that could unite people. Alan will be missed by many – by our team, by everyone he touched, and especially by his immediate family, Leonie Harris, April Burgoyne, Tristan Harris and Azlan Harris and their extended families. You can contribute to the family fundraiser if you would like to support the family and help honour Alan’s memory.
Read Peter's response to a loss that has personally devastated him in The Greek Herald.
HIGHLIGHTING | Calendar Spotlight: Zero Discrimination Day, 1 March 2025
Everyone experiences discrimination at one time or other for attributes they were born with and did not choose, and it is never ok. So just for a day, let's imagine a world where discrimination doesn't occur. This year's theme is ‘We Stand Together’.
Zero Discrimination Day was fostered by UNAIDS – a merged United Nations program on HIV and AIDS. This day promotes inclusion, compassion and peace, as well as celebrating the right of everyone to live their life to the fullest and with dignity.
Above all, Zero Discrimination Day highlights a movement for change through a global movement of solidarity. At Cultural Infusion, we offer the ICAP program which teaches intercultural understanding as a means of overcoming racial and ethnic based discrimination.
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Cultural Infusion (CUIN)Address: Suite 2, 273-277 Wellington Street, Collingwood, VIC 3066
Cultural Infusion respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation and pays respect to their Elders, past and present and future custodians In continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practises of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia.