OBJECTIVES OF INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY

In November 2009 Dr. Teelucksingh and five other members of the IMD Coordination Committee formally ratified the core objectives or 'Pillars' of International Men's Day. The Objectives were canonised to protect the central values of IMD and to offer a reliable reference point for future celebrants.

OBJECTIVES OF INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY

The ‘6 Pillars’ of International Men’s Day

1. To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sports men but everyday, working class men who are living decent, honest lives.

2. To celebrate men’s and boy’s achievements and contributions to society, community, family, marriage, child care, and to the environment.

3. To focus on men’s and boy’s health issues; social, emotional and physical.

4. To highlight discrimination against men and boys; in areas of social services, social attitudes and expectations, law, and health.

5. To improve gender relations and promote gender equality; encouraging men to address responsibly and positively the challenges facing them in society.

6. To create a safer, better world; where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential.
_____________________________________________________________________

Points endorsed by the 2009 International Men’s Day Coordination Committee.

Jerome Teelucksingh
Warwick Marsh
Uma Challa
Jason Thompson
Diane Sears

INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2009: HONORING MEN, HEALING THE WORLD

INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2009 is giving our Husbands, Fathers, Grandfathers, Uncles, Sons, and Brothers a voice. The theme for INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2009 is "Positive Male Role Models".

Did you have a positive male role model in your life? How did he positively transform your life? IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R) encourages you to take a moment to celebrate and remember the contributions of the positive male role models that have positively transformed your life, your family, and/your community.

INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2009 is of particular importance to our young males. As our sons make their journey from childhood to adulthood, they need to see and feel that Men play an important role in our families, our communities, and our world.

Our sons need to hear their Fathers, Grandfathers, Uncles, and Brothers laugh. They need to hear the men in their families and in their communities talk about what makes their heart sing and about issues that impact their health, their ability to raise a family, and to go out into the world and earn a living. We cannot afford to have our sons thinking and believing that they have no options and that their feelings, ideas, and contributions will not and do not matter. If we continue to allow that to happen, we are creating a recipe for disaster.

While INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2009 is about Men and Boys, it is also about healing and a coming together of Men, Fathers, Women, Mothers, health care professionals and providers, social services professionals and providers, educators, religious leaders, legislators, legal professionals, Men’s Groups, Fatherhood Practitioners, and Fatherhood organizations to engage in an honest and productive dialogue that not only identifies the serious issues that Men and Boys have, but to also share information about ideas and programs that have a successful track record in resolving those issues and the best way to implement them.
We don’t have to reinvent the wheel in order to provide Men and Boys with the resources and support services they desperately need. To a degree, we already have what we need.

It is IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD(R)'s hope that INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2009 will move us all to form strategic alliances that transcend the boundaries of geography, language, culture, politics, economics, and ethnicity and work together in a collaborative and loving spirit to empower Men and help them to strengthen their families, their communities, and to make Planet Earth a better place to live for everyone.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY FROM DADS ON THE AIR, AUSTRALIA!

Dads on the Air | www.dadsontheair.net
Local Sydney Time: 10.30am to 12 midday Tuesday 24th November 2009
USA Eastern time: 6.30pm to 8pm Monday 23rd November 2009
USA Pacific time: 3.30pm to 5pm Monday 23rd November 2009
UK GMT time: 11.30pm to 1am Monday night (Tuesday morning) 23rd November 2009

Listen live on 2GLF 89.3FM in Sydney
or online via live streaming at www.893fm.com.au/On-Air
or in MP3 format at www.dadsontheair.net
or subscribe to our Podcast


New campaign launched on International Men's Day for male victims of family violence and abuse

Did you know that in Australia...

• Up to one in three victims of sexual assault is male?
• At least one in three victims of family violence is male?
• 435,000 Australian men have experienced violence from a current or previous partner?

“Each night when she came from work I would be tense and nervous. I didn't know in what way she was going to abuse me.” This is Matthew’s story: the tale of a man who was regularly abused by his female partner in his own home. Unfortunately such stories are commonplace.

Male victims of family violence often face barriers to disclosing their abuse. They can suffer shame, embarrassment and the social stigma of not being able to protect themselves. They are likely to be told that there must be something they did to provoke their partner’s violence.

Alan, another male victim, finally summoned up the courage to talk to someone about his partner’s ongoing sexual abuse. “Who to talk to for advice - family or friends? No way. I spoke to a doctor. She seemed to listen to my stammering for a few minutes and then while scribbling asked, ‘What are you doing to make her behave that way?’”.

Dr Elizabeth Celi, a Melbourne psychologist says, “Unlike physical violence, many of the forms of domestic abuse faced by male victims are difficult to detect and hard for the man himself to defend against. A man’s health is wrapped up in his identity. Attacking his self-worth through various forms of criticism, manipulation and intimidation are forms of emotional and verbal violence that we need to learn about as a society and say ‘Enough!’”

As well as the effects of violence on men themselves, their children can suffer a range of negative impacts on their behavioural, cognitive and emotional functioning and social development. Neglecting violence against men means neglecting these children as well.

As part of today’s International Men’s Day celebrations, a new campaign for male victims of family violence is being launched. The One in Three campaign is named after the little known fact that up to one in three victims of sexual assault and at least one in three victims of family violence is male (perhaps as many as one in two).

For example, researcher Murray Straus conducted an extensive study of partner violence by university students in 32 nations and found that, in Australia, 14% of physical violence between dating partners in the past year was perpetrated by males only, 21% by females only and 65% was mutual violence.

The campaign aims to raise public awareness of the existence and needs of male victims of family violence and abuse; to work with government and non-government services alike to provide assistance to male victims; and to reduce the incidence and impacts of family violence on Australian men, women and children. Supporters of the campaign include Dr Elizabeth Celi, Maggie Hamilton, author of What Men Don't Talk About and Steve Biddulph, author of Manhood.

Hamilton says, “Until researching What Men Don't Talk About I had no idea about domestic violence towards men. I was shocked to discover this had touched the lives of several close friends - men of all backgrounds from manual labourers to professionals. While we remain silent on this issue, men continue to be hurt, to be ignored.”

Biddulph writes, “With family violence, we had to address ‘women and children first’; but in 2009, the troubling nub of violence is in families where both partners are violent, as well as those most hidden, where women hit men. Violence is a miserable way to live, for perpetrator and victim, and for little children forced to watch. Today nobody approves of or accepts wife bashing. Husband bashing needs this same condemnation and action.”

While many services have rightly been established to support female victims of family violence, the needs of male victims remain largely unmet. Acknowledging this imbalance, the Western Australian Men’s Advisory Network recently commissioned ground-breaking research by Edith Cowan University into the nature and extent of domestic abuse against men.

Greg Millan from Newcastle’s Men’s Health Services was recently contacted by a women’s domestic violence worker who had also started providing support for men after witnessing growing numbers of male victims in court without any assistance. Millan subsequently developed a training program called Working with Men affected by Violence, for workers in the domestic violence and family relationship sector.

On the international front, the Valley Oasis shelter in Lancaster, California, was the first in the USA to give refuge to victims regardless of their gender. “Our philosophy is that domestic violence is a societal problem,” said Carol Ensign, the shelter's executive director. “Nobody deserves to get hit, whether they are 2 months old or 80 years old, whether they are a man or woman, child or teen.”

A groundbreaking Dutch scheme has recently established shelters for abused men in four major cities. In Ireland, Amen provides a confidential helpline, support service and information for male victims of domestic abuse. In the UK, the Next Steps Housing Association has recently created 100 places in 35 refuge houses for husbands and partners of abusive women. Confidential helplines for men have also been established in England and Wales.

Greg Andresen, one of the founders of the One in Three campaign will be our special guest on next week's edition of Dads on the Air.

The One in Three website can be found at oneinthree.com.au.

AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2009!

MEDIA ALERT

INAUGURAL CELEBRATION
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA

The inaugural International Men’s Day Celebration will take place at Parliament House, Committee Room 1S3 from 12.15–1.30 pm on Thursday 19 November. Parliamentarians and members of the press gallery are invited to attend this historic occasion. Dr Elizabeth Celi, psychologist and men’s health author, will be the keynote speaker.

Dr Celi has been featured on both TV and radio discussing men’s health and the challenges faced by men. She is a gifted speaker and is highly regarded within the Australian men’s movement.

Supporting speakers include Phil Gouldson, former president of Men’s Health & Wellbeing in Canberra, Geoffrey Greene, president of the Shared Parenting Council, Paul Whyte, Sydney Men’s Network and Men’s Health Australia and well known ACT men’s health advocate Dr Tim O’Neill.

International Men's Day (IMD) began on 19 November 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago and was supported by the United Nations. The event received wide support from men's groups in USA, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Speaking on behalf of UNESCO, Ms. Ingeborg Breines, Director of Women and Culture of Peace said: “This is an excellent idea and would give some gender balance”, adding that her organisation was looking forward to cooperating with IMD.

Warwick Marsh coordinator of the global website for International Men’s Day said, “Excitement is growing around the world as we network with other countries that are already celebrating International Men’s Day or are coming on board for the very first time. The great thing about this year’s celebrations in other nations is that over half of them are being organised by or feature prominent women. This shows the enormous groundswell of support from the women of the world to encourage and help men. Women everywhere are calling for the governments of their countries to address the issues that ordinary men face every day. Dr Elizabeth Celi’s wholehearted support for International Men’s Day shows this to be the case.”

Objectives of International Men's Day include a focus on men and boy's health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting ‘positive male role models’ the theme for 2009. It is an occasion for men to highlight the many challenges they face and an opportunity for the broader community to celebrate their achievements and contributions, in particular for their contributions to community, family, marriage, and child care.

Warwick & Alison Marsh
www.internationalmensday.com
0418 225 212
02 4272 6677
info@fatherhood.org.au

CORPORATION IN INDIA CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2009!

Celebrate International Men’s Day - the Allen Solly way
November 16, 2009 (India)

November 19 is the International Men's Day and Allen Solly is bringing it to prominence. This is the best chance to prove how much you love and care for him on his special day. For the first time, an apparel brand is taking an initiative to celebrate International Men’s Day in an exceptional way.

Through this promotion, Allen Solly targets women and urges them to gift their men things which are extremely important to them, which however are met with disapproval from their partners. Things like TV time, time to hang out with Friends, the freedom to have a few drinks and time to play sports / games!!

Allen Solly has introduced collectible kits which have permission cards for all these items which give a man freedom to pursue these activities for three hours after presenting these cards. This is treated in a humorous and funny manner and is in line with one of the Allen Solly values of freedom.

The theme for the worldwide observance of International Men’s Day 2009 is ‘Positive Male Role Models’. Men make sacrifices everyday in their place of work, in their role as husbands and fathers, for their families, for their friends, for their communities and for their nation. International Men’s Day is an opportunity for people everywhere of goodwill to appreciate and celebrate the men in their lives and the contribution they make to society for the greater good of all. Men bring humour into our lives and make us laugh. It may be our fathers, brothers, partners, sons, male friends, neighbours and colleagues. Let him celebrate his day, the Allen Solly Way!!

Available at all Allen Solly stores in NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune

International Men's Day is an international event celebrated on 19 November every year. It was inaugurated in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago and was supported by the United Nations. The objectives of celebrating an International Men's Day include focusing on men's and boy's health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting positive male role models. It is an occasion for men to highlight discrimination against them and to celebrate their achievements and contributions, in particular for their contributions to community, family, marriage, and child care.

Allen Solly

NAVIN CRUMP PAYS TRIBUTE TO HIS FATHER IN OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 2009

DAD

Many children are lucky
they have what some wish they had
and that great gift is
to be able to call someone Dad
It is such a great privilege
and is taken for granted a lot
Rather than wishing for more
be grateful for all that you've got
My dad is a role model
and that much I'm certain I see
But in the end of it all
I know I can only be me
I wish I could see him daily
that would sure make me glad
I wish I could say to his face
"I love you Dad"

Navin Crump
9th Grade
The Orme School (AZ)
17 November 2009

EVENTS PLANNED FOR INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 19 NOVEMBER 2009 WORLDWIDE OBSERVANCE

Events celebrating and observing International Men's Day 2009 on 19 November 2009 have been scheduled in Ireland, India, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, , United States, Singapore, United Kingdom, Malta, South Africa, Georgia, New Zealand, Moldova, Germany, Holland and Brazil and other nations around the globe.

If your organization is planning an event to celebrate International Men's Day, Jason Thompson (Australia), the Global Promotions Coordinator for International Men's Day 2009 would like to hear from you. You can e-mail details about your event to Jason Thompson to: hippolytus_101@yahoo.com.au. Information about your organization and its International Men's Day 2009 event will be published on the International Men's Day 2009 website at http://www.internationalmensday.com.


What is International Men's Day 2009 all about? A few comments appear below:

Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, Founder of International Men’s Day (IMD) said, “International Men’s Day is about addressing the challenges and problems that men face; improving gender relations between men and women; promoting gender equality; highlighting positive male role models – not just movie stars and athletes – but “everyday working class men who are living decent, honest lives”; and creating a safer and better world”.


Diane A. Sears, IMD Coordinator in the USA, said, “We must work together as a team. International Men’s Day provides us with a great opportunity. Strong fathers create and sustain efficiently functioning family units which positively shape the minds and souls of our children – our future – our bridge to the future. After all, isn’t it really about our children?”



Warwick Marsh, Dads4Kids and the IMD Global Coordinator (Australia), added “It is my hope that International Men’s Day will be the catalyst for men, men and fatherhood groups, individuals, both men and women to celebrate the importance of ‘Positive Male Role Models’, the theme for 2009.”


Uma Challa is the IMD Coordinator for India. She made the point that, “International women’s Day is celebrated the world over every year but we also need to have a celebration every year to recognize and honor men: our fathers, brothers, partners, sons, male friends and colleagues; for the numerous services they render and the innumerable sacrifices they make to ensure the health and well-being of the family and the society.”



Jason Thompson (Australia), Global Promotions Coordinator for IMD said, “I would like to take this opportunity to ask individuals and organizations who are planning an event to contact me with the details at: ”hippolytus_101@yahoo.com.au."

Happy International Men's Day 2009!