Parents and caregivers have a responsibility to raise children who appreciate and celebrate diversity, and who can promote equality within our communities. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is celebrated annually on March 21 and provides an opportunity for us to reflect on our own attitudes towards a multicultural society.

This day is observed and celebrated all over the world. It is an opportunity to reflect on the fact that while progress has been made, racialised communities and religious minorities continue to face racism and discrimination every day. Parents can support their children in understanding racial harmony by modelling inclusive and respectful behaviour, encouraging empathy, appreciating the experiences of others, and speaking up against racism.

By teaching children to respect and understand different cultural backgrounds, we can foster positive attitudes and beliefs towards racial harmony. This will help create a more inclusive and equitable world. Exploring the past can help us better understand the present. Movements for equality around the world remain symbols of a traumatic past that societies are still recovering from. Understanding them together can shine a light on how far we’ve come and how much further we still have to go. These shared experiences can help children build trust and openness to different perspectives.