Cultural Diversity

Dates of Cultural and Religious Significance

To celebrate and promote awareness of the diversity of the UWS community, Equity and Diversity have produced the 2009 UWS Equity and Diversity Calendar. This is a calendar of cultural and religious days celebrated in Australia and around the world.

Posters of this calendar are available on request from Equity and Diversity.

UWS has a commitment to providing leave for staff to participate in significant cultural and religious events and ceremonies which are not covered by public holiday provisions. Options include personal leave, flex leave, leave without pay and time in lieu. This calendar assists managers and supervisors to anticipate and plan for their employees religious and cultural commitments.

UWS Muslim Harmony Reference Group

In 2005, UWS established the Muslim Harmony Reference Group to build greater understanding and cooperation between Muslim and non-Muslim people, including students and their families, UWS staff and the broader Greater Sydney community. The Group sponsors an annual Ramadan Iftar event and has fostered a number of initiatives to promote understanding between the University and the Muslim community.

Harmony Day 2009

Harmony Day is an Australian Government initiative (opens in a new window) to commemorate the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Harmony Day 2009 was Saturday 21 March and UWS celebrated the occasion throughout the whole week beginning 23 March.

The main objective of this initiative is to encourage community participation and promote Australia's core values of inclusiveness and respect. The key message of Harmony Day 2009 was 'Everyone Belongs'.

UWS libraries gave out Harmony Day buttons, cards, and posters and staff were encouraged to organise lunches at which team members contributed food from their cultural heritage or to go out as a team to taste the flavours of another country.

Equity and Diversity went out for a team lunch at a local Japanese restaurant.

UWS Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement

UWS has a culturally diverse staff and student population. Strategies for maintaining and enhancing this diversity at UWS are detailed in the UWS Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement Plan 2005-2007.

• UWS Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement Plan 2005-2007

Guidelines for Addressing Cultural Issues for Events at UWS

Demonstrating respect for cultural diversity assists in building stronger relationships. Guidelines for Addressing Cultural Issues for Events at UWS provides practical advice for event organisers on how to ensure that everyone who comes to a UWS function feels welcome and respected.

• Guidelines for Addressing Cultural Issues for Events at UWS

External Site

• NSW Community Relations Commission website (opens in a new window)

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