Food, dance, music, arts, crafts and presentations will feature throughout the evening at Whangarei’s third Race Relations Day celebrations to be held in the Old Library on Monday 21 March.
Updated:
8/03/2011 4:38 p.m.
There is no charge to take part in the international evening that will begin at 5pm and coincides with the Baha’i New Year.
Countries represented will include the Pacific Islands, Mexico and Persia. Food stalls by English Language Partners, Whangarei Migrant Centre and WINGS will sell a wide range of food from many cultures.
“It is a great way to celebrate cultural diversity in Whangarei, because food is a very important part of all cultures,” says Settlement support coordinator Ellen Altshuler.
“As well as the food, dance, music, arts and crafts and presentations, people will be able to view the Human Rights Commission’s photographic exhibition, ‘Conversations on Human Rights’ which will be held at the old Library from 19 March to 2 April.”
“The evening is organised by a committee from the English Language Partners, Whangarei Migrant Centre, Settlement Support, WINGS and the Baha’i community. It will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase different cultures and enjoy ethnic food and entertainment.”
“This is the third year that Race Relations Day has been held as a public event in Whangarei. The cooperation of various community groups makes this wonderful event possible,” she said.
Race Relations Day is a time to reflect on New Zealand’s cultural diversity.
Each year 21 March is observed around the world as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The date marks the tragic loss of life at Sharpeville in South Africa in 1960, and is dedicated by the United Nations to the achievement of the goals of the Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
New Zealand signed the Convention on 25 October 1966 and ratified it on 22 November 1972.
For more information please contact:
Ellen Altshuler
Whangarei District Council Settlement Support Coordinator
Phone: 470 3056 E: ellena@wdc.govt.nz