Holidays on 5th October

Vanuatu Constitution Day

This day commemorates the signing of the Constitution in 1979. The country was granted full independence in 1979 after being under an unique Anglo-French Condominium. After this, the drafting of a constitution got underway, consisting of representatives of different political parties, religious leaders and local tribal chiefs. It was signed on 5th October 1979, and came into force on 30th July 1980, when the New Hebrides gained independence as the Republic of Vanuatu. It is marked with public speeches, official ceremonies and other festive events and activities.

World Habitat Day

The United Nations designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day in 1985 to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns. There is a different theme each year, the one for 2020 is Housing for All – A Better Urban Future.

The website for this day is here.

World Teachers Day

It has been held since 1994, commemorating the anniversary of the adoptio of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. The Recommendation sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers and standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment and teaching and learning conditions. The Recommendation concerning the status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel was adopted in 1997 to complement the 1966 Recommendation by covering teaching and research personnel in higher education. The day has become the occasion to mark progress and reflect on ways to counter the remaining challenges for the promotion of the teaching professions. It is co-convened in partnership with UNICEF, the International Labour Organisation and Education International. Each year has a theme, and this year’s is “Teachers: Leading in crisis reimagining the future.”

The website for the day is here.