Teachers' Day with a grand soirée at the club's premises at St Joseph's Institute, St Venera.

Introducing the programme, Albert V. Rutter, UNESCO Club (Malta) chairman, said the purpose of commemorating the day was to reflect about the importance and ability of our teachers. He said we should all be grateful to these people whose contribution to society has no end.

Mr Rutter read messages from UNESCO's director general Koichiro Matsuura, ILO director general Juan Somavia, UNDP administrator Kemal Dervis, UNICEF executive director, Ann M. Veneman and Thulas Nxesi, president of Education International.

He expressed pride at being associated with UNESCO, which plays a vital role in world education, and he encouraged more people to join UNESCO Club (Malta).

There followed a panel of speakers who delivered interesting talks that were well received by the audience, which was sizable despite the event being organised at short notice.

Josette Mifsud Matrenza, a retired ex-head teacher, spoke about her experience in the teaching profession.

Sangeeta E. Sullivan Dua, a Malta University lecturer and consultant on entrepreneurship, spoke about how to set up and succeed in your own business.

Joseph M. Sammut, as a former teacher, spoke about the contribution of education to Malta's social and economic development.

Stephen Zammit, a violinist, also performed during the programme.

On behalf of the executive committee, Mr Rutter thanked Education Minister Louis Galea, the Director of Education, Cecilia Borg and her staff, head teachers and headmistresses of various government schools, and directors of private schools and colleges for their support, the panel of speakers and the evening's compere, Charles Saliba.

He also thanked the club's sponsors, Neriku Confectionery, La Dolce Pasticceria and Philip Confectionery, UNESCO Club (Malta's) committee members, Madeleine Scerri, Carmen Pace, Ralph Camilleri, and Victor Rizzo, the director of St Joseph's Institute, Fr Frankie Cini, and especially the Azzopardi family for its valuable contribution towards the event's success.