Every year in March, the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) brings Victorians together for Cultural Diversity Week, a time to celebrate the power, influence, and stories of Victoria’s rich multicultural communities. All Victorians are invited to get inspired, get planning and get involved in activities to take place next year from 11 – 21 March.
The VMC is excited to announce the theme for 2023 Cultural Diversity Week as Our Past. Our Future: Celebrating and reflecting on the contributions of Victoria’s multicultural communities.
The theme invites Victorians of all ages and backgrounds to reflect on multicultural Victoria’s long history and celebrate its bright future. It is an opportunity to show gratitude to Victoria’s established and emerging multicultural communities, while recognising the ongoing needs and contributions of both.
Cultural Diversity Week will be launched on Saturday, March 11 with Victoria’s annual Multicultural Gala Dinner, a magical and memorable night of entertainment and celebration at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Expressions of Interest in tickets will open on 23 November 2022.
To plan for Cultural Diversity Week, councils, businesses, organisations, government agencies, service providers and community groups are all encouraged to start conversations in their workplaces and communities, and to host events and activities that align with the theme. To inspire conversations among students, a Teacher’s Resource Kit will be shared with Victorian schools, who can arrange a visit from a Victorian Multicultural Commissioner.
Cultural Diversity Week activities will run across regional and metropolitan Victoria, with many led by local councils and promoted in an events calendar on VMConnect; the VMC’s online community platform. Among them will be a Multicultural Comedy Gala, touring regional Victoria to showcase culturally diverse comedians in a night of laughter.
All Victorians are encouraged to attend Cultural Diversity Week celebrations and learn about cultural diversity in their area.