Thousands of Australians will be swapping their pens for plates, and exploring the rich, culinary cultures and flavours that make up their workplace. Coinciding with Cultural Diversity Week - from the 19 - 25 March - A Taste of Harmony offers workplaces the perfect opportunity to bring people together to share their cultural stories and food. Participation in A Taste of Harmony is free and easy. Simply register online, set a date and ask work mates to bring in a dish to share.

You’ll find lots of activities to keep the whole family entertained at this year’s Viva Victoria Festival held at Federation Square on Sunday 25 March. An exciting new addition to 2012 is  the Photo Booth Project. Public housing residents from culturally diverse backgrounds helped to provide a snapshot of our cultural diversity, bringing multiculturalism to life. Also new this year is the opportunity to have a go at creating your own piece of  beautiful Turkish art. The ancient Indian art of Rangoli is back again this year (see picture), while kids of all ages will be kept happy with puppet-making, face-painting and more. Viva Festival Programs will be available to order from our website soon.

The North Carlton Railway Neighbourhood House is running inexpensive English classes. Come along to one of the classes run twice a week to improve your English in a small, friendly environment. Classes include learning and practice speaking, listening, reading, writing and spelling English. Organisers say the classes will help people of all ages and levels to improve their English, increase employment and further study opportunities, and strengthen computer skills. Classes are small and affordable. Classes are on a Monday and Thursday 1.30pm -3.30pm, Railway House, 20 Solly Avenue, Princes Hill. Cost $1.30 - $14 per class (subject to availability). For more information contact Jeff on (03) 9380 6654 or email railwayhouse@vic.chariot.net.au

March 11 is the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit north eastern Japan. To commemorate the disaster and raise much-needed funds for UNICEF’s ongoing recovery work in the affected regions of the country, the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme Alumni Association (JETAA) based in Melbourne, is encouraging people to get together to have a Big Bento Lunch Japanese-style and collect donations. The initiative is running between 11 and 17 March and offices, homes, schools, community groups and restaurants across Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide are encouraged to take part. The funds raised will go, via UNICEF, to help open temporary schools and provide medical aid and vaccinations for children in the affected areas. For more information email info@bigbentolunch.com.au or visit www.bigbentolunch.com.au

Moonee Valley Interfaith Network hopes to bring together useful information and encourages you to actively participate in their interfaith community events. They are currently seeking community members to join them on this journey to contribute towards building a community where there is harmony and understanding between all beliefs and faiths. Organisers warmly invite you to come along to their inaugural meeting held on Thursday 22 March, 6.30-8.30pm Clocktower Centre Pascoe Room. Join them to celebrate the launch of the new network and the City’s diversity with special performances from various faiths, followed by the elections for the executive board for all Interfaith Network members with a wonderful supper to conclude the evening. For more information and to RSVP to the inaugural meeting, please email: info@mvin.org.au

We love to hear what you have planned. You can submit your events and details of any new resources with a multicultural focus via the form on our website. These get added to our online Community Noticeboard and Events Calendar. Selected listings will be included in the VMC Update each fortnight. Click on the link below to find out what's going on around multicultural Victoria.