October 5, World Teachers' Day

World Teachers’ Day is approaching! Every year since 1994, 5 October has been a day to celebrate teachers worldwide. The date was chosen by UNESCO to commemorate the adoption of the Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers on 5 October, 1966. This recommendation states the rights, responsibilities and international standards of teachers. Its adoption has helped to establish guidelines to promote the status of teachers and increase the quality of education worldwide.

One of the challenges for teachers in the decades to come will be how to welcome multicultural perspectives into their classrooms and how to bring together students, young and adult, with diverse backgrounds to work in common projects and build a shared multi-faceted culture. Incorporating Intercultural Learning skills and tools into education is needed more than ever.

If you are asking yourself: “What can I do on World Teachers’ Day?”, maybe you can start by creating awareness about the importance of teachers and education in your immediate environment and in our society. Take some time to discuss, share, listen and learn about what education means to you and to those around you. And maybe you can also send an e-card to your teacher (available in English, French and Spanish) to thank her or him for the change that her or his work has represented in your life!