• Australia has a strong history of many different people living together harmoniously – few other countries have achieved that and many envy our record.
• There is no role for nostalgia – we are going forward into exciting times and it’s vital that we make the journey together.
• Core Australian values are important and our tradition of giving people a fair go and a helping hand has been the key to our success so far.
• We have a right to be proud of what we have achieved – our diversity, democratic institutions, traditions and distance from ‘old world’ prejudices have helped us to develop a progressive and peaceful community.
• There is some intolerance and prejudice against people based on race, culture or religion and that disrupts community harmony and offends most people.
• Racism is wrong and it’s not the Australian way to judge people by the colour of their skin or their religious or cultural background.
• Diversity has enriched us, not harmed us – social division costs us dearly and the benefits of community harmony are substantial.

Objectives
The initiative is designed to challenge all Australians to:

• take a stand against racism, prejudice and intolerance;
• help build a peaceful and productive future for our children by setting an example of how to live in harmony, making the most of our racial, cultural, social and religious diversity; and
• put into practice the best of traditional Australian values – justice, equality, fairness and friendship.

Making It Happen
The living in harmony initiative has been designed so that Australians everywhere can play their part. The initiative is being implemented through a community grants program and a partnerships program. More information on both these programs can be found on the IMA's Living in Harmony website.