Moving Forward Together

Moving Forward Together (MFT)^[1] is an Australian charitable organisation based in Sydney that promotes social harmony and the prevention of prejudice.^[2][3] The organisation was founded in 2005^[4] and is led by Holocaust survivor Ernie Friedlander.^[5]

Harmony Day campaigns

Moving Forward Together promotes social harmony, commonly in conjunction with the annual Australian Government's Harmony Day celebrations.^[6][2][7] The group's Harmony Day activities include community walks, poster competitions,^[8][9] songwriting competitions, and public exhibitions.^[10][11][12]

Moving Forward Together and its activities are recognised by Australian government members^[13] as well as by the government of New South Wales.^[14][15][4]

Hamony poster competition

Moving Forward Together runs an annual poster competition in New South Wales in conjunction with the annual Harmony Day celebrations with an emphasis on themes of pride and belonging.^[16] In 2016, competition posters were displayed at Parliament House, Sydney before being added to a travelling exhibition.^[17] In 2021, the poster competition involved submissions from over 5,300 students.^[18]

Stop Racism Now (campaign)

In 2021, the organisation initiated an anti-racism campaign titled "Stop Racism Now AU" which was launched by the Governor of New South Wales, Margaret Beazley AC, QC,^[3][19] as well as other Australian parliamentarians.^[20][18] The campaign involves promoting messages of mutual respect and understanding as well as the development of educational materials for schools in New South Wales.^[18]

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), the peak representative body of the Australian Jewish community, noted the campaign in its annual study of antisemitic activity in Australia following the rejection of the Stop Racism Now campaign by a student union based in the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). The ECAJ determined that the manner in which the student union rejected the camapaign's outreach efforts reflected a prevailing trend of anti-Jewish sentiment expressed by some progressive activists.^[21]

See also

• Courage to Care
• Anti-Defamation Commission

References

1. Also listed as Moving Forward Together Association (MFTA)
2. Friedlander, Ernie (29 October 2018). "Moving forward together Australia". Australian Muslim Times.
3. "Call to STOP RACISM NOW after spike in incidents". Local News Plus. 16 June 2021.
4. "Top award for Moving Forward Together". The Australian Jewish News.
5. "Alfred Dreyfus Unit (ADU)". B'nai B'rith Australia / New Zealand.
6. Legislative Council Hansard (17 October 2019). "Harmony Day". NSW Parliament.
7. "Calendar note for 2020: Planning for Harmony Day". The Sector. 23 January 2020.
8. Petrinic, Isabell (22 June 2020). "'We need harmony in this world': Luca Atzeri". Sydney Catholic Schools.
9. "Poster contest spreads Harmony Day message". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 August 2011.
10. "Margot Hardy Gallery - Virtual Tours". University of Western Sydney.
11. "Strathfield Council- Harmony Day Poster Exhibition 2018". Star House Art and Music College.
12. Cameron, Western Sydney University-Jody. "Art, culture and diversity come together in complete harmony". University of Western Sydney.
13. "Speech in the Senate about Harmony Day celebrations | Former Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries". Australian Department of Social Services.
14. "Top honours for Friedlander's Harmony Walk". JWire. 16 March 2017.
15. "Khushal Vyas receives Youth Medal at Premier's Harmony Dinner awards". The Indian Down Under.
16. Latifi, Agron (17 March 2021). "Hayes Park's new art hub inspiring students' creative souls". Illawarra Mercury.
17. Radford, Travis (8 June 2016). "Winning posters celebrate harmony". Magnet News.
18. Friedlander, E. (2021). "The Stop Racism Now campaign." Australasian Muslim Times, Issue 190. (September 2021). Page 10.
19. "Vice Regal Program - Wednesday, 9 June 2021". Governor of New South Wales. 9 June 2021.
20. Lowenstein, Nitza (20 June 2021). "SBS Yiddish report with Alex Dafner". SBS.
21. Nathan, Julie (29 November 2020). "Report on Antisemitism in Australia 2020" (PDF). Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

External links

• Official website