

Inaugurated on 19 November 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago by Gender Issues Thought Leader, educator, and prolific author Jerome Teelucksingh, Ph.D., International Men’s Day celebrates and h onors the contributions and selfless sacrifices that Men – “every day” Men – our fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers, uncles, brothers, husbands, fiancées, cousins, nephews, co-workers, and neighbors – make to families, communities, and society. Observed in over 83 nations, International Men’s Day transcends the boundaries of geography, ethnicity, religion, class, culture, economics, and language. International Men’s Day shares a 48-hour partnership with Universal Children’s Day which is observed on 20 November of each year and is endorsed by the United Nations. Through its Global and Regional Coordinators, International Men’s Day works to heal, empower, and foster respectful, inclusive, and solutions-based dialogues and initiatives. Global and Regional Coordinators for International Men’s Day work to continue to bring together individuals, organizations, and institutions throughout our global village to address and help eradicate key challenges which prevent Men and Boys – and all souls connected to them – from reaching their full potential. These key challenges, include but are not limited to, economic turpitude, violence, Fatherlessness, an unlevel academic “playing field,” lack of positive male role models, homelessness, inadequate or lack of access to mental and physical health resources, lack of access to real-life options, xenophobia, religious and ethnic intolerance, and spiritually, psychologically, and emotionally toxic communities. International Men’s Day is a day in which we place our focus on uniting humanity and working together to achieve the six (6) objectives of International Men’s Day which are:









· To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sportsmen--but every day, working class men who are living decent, honest lives.

· To celebrate men’s positive contributions; to society, community, family, marriage, child care, and to the environment

· To focus on men’s health and wellbeing; social, emotional, physical, and spiritual

· To highlight discrimination against males in areas of social services, social attitudes and expectations, and law

· To improve gender relations and promote gender equality

· To create a safer, better world, where all people can grow and reach their full potential.





The International Men’s Day Union serves, inter alia, as the governing body for International Men’s Day, to ensure that all events proposed, hosted, sponsored, and facilitated by institutions, organizations, and institutions are (A) in compliance with the six (6) Objectives of International Men’s Day; and (B) fostering healing, solutions-based, inclusive and respectful dialogues and initiatives that address the unique issues and key challenges confronting Men and Boys. All proposed events, programs, workshops and observances of any kind, proposed under the banner and/or umbrella of International Men’s Day by individuals, organizations, and institutions, must be brought to the attention of the International Men’s Day Global Planning Committee which serves as the clearinghouse arm of the International Men’s Day Union as follows:





UNITED STATES

Diane A. Sears – Coordinator

M ember, International Men’s Day Global Planning

Committee





TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Jerome Teelucksingh, Ph.D.

Founder – International Men’s Day

Chair, International Men's Day Global Planning

Committee

Nigel Phillips - Coordinator

Trinidad and Tobago

Member, International Men’s Day Global Planning

Committee

CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY COORDINATOR

Michael A.T. Stewart

Member, International Men’s Day Global Planning

Committee

CANADA

David Hatfield – Coordinator

Member, International Men’s Day Global Planning

Committee

INDIA

Uma Kiranam - Coordinator

Member, International Men’s Day Global Planning

Committee

ARGENTINA

Jorge Vila – Coordinator

Member, International Men’s Day Global Planning

Committee





AFRICA INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY CO-COORDINATORS

Matthew Gansallo

Coordinator - Nigeria

Member, International Men’s Day Global Planning

Committee

Lethukuthula Nkomo

Chair, South Africa International Men’s Day “Teach

Us Peace” Children’s Literacy Initiative

Member, International Men’s Day Global Planning

Committee

1

BOTSWANA

Geneuvive Twala - Coordinator

Member, International Men’s Day Global Planning Committee