CULTURAL DIVERSITY WEEK: 17-23 March 2025
• Cultural Diversity Week (CDW) is Victoria’s leading multicultural celebration, held annually in March to coincide with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Harmony Day on March 21. This week-long initiative from 17 to 23 March showcases the colourful sounds, flavours, sights and traditions of Victoria’s rich and ever-diversifying communities.
• Coordinated by the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC), Cultural Diversity Week 2025 is dedicated to celebrating the unique journeys and collective stories that define our multicultural identity. This year’s theme, “Embrace the Journey, Shape our Future”, invites allVictorians to honour their cultural heritage, share stories of resilience and connection, and explore how culture shapes our present and future.
• The week will feature vibrant events, community-led activities, and educational initiatives that foster understanding, inclusion, and respect across the state. By participating, stakeholders like you can help bring to life the vision of a more connected and cohesive society, while celebrating the cultural wealth that makes Victoria unique.
• Aligned with the VMC’s operations plan and the State of Expectations framework, the CDW campaign champions cultural identity by fostering connection, understanding, and celebration. It strengthens awareness of the benefits of cultural and religious diversity while encouraging in-person events and activations that bring communities together.
• This initiative directly supports the actions outlined on page 12 of Victoria’s Anti-Racism Strategy. By delivering this campaign, the Government advances a key commitment: “Supporting community-driven anti-racism initiatives at the local level,” reinforcing efforts to build social cohesion across Victoria.
• In 2023, 62% of Australians surveyed identified racism as a ‘very big’ or ‘fairly big’ problem. In response, the VMC is committed to expanding Cultural Diversity Week as a flagship event to promote inclusivity and strengthen social cohesion.
• The campaign is set to launch from 7 March to 23 March, 2025, with the aim to run Community Service Announcements (CSAs).
