JOHN GONZALEZ SELECTED AS REGIONAL PENNSYLVANIA (USA) COORDINATOR FOR 2010 INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY

CANBERRA, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA – 12 January 2010 -- The International Men’s Day Coordination Committee has announced that Mr. John Gonzalez, a former Assistant Managing Director for the City of Philadelphia and currently Vice President of Operations at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, has been selected as the Pennsylvania Regional Coordinator for 2010 International Men’s Day (http://www.international-mens-day.com) which will be observed worldwide on Friday, 19 November 2010.


Mr. Gonzalez will coordinate the participation of individuals, organizations, institutions, and communities throughout Pennsylvania in the worldwide observance of International Men’s Day which celebrates and honors the sacrifices that Men have made and continue to make to our families, communities, and our society. The theme for 2010 International Men’s Day is “Our Children … Our Future” – a theme that celebrates the 48 hour partnership that International Men’s Day has with Universal Children’s Day, which is celebrated on 20th November 2010 and endorsed by the United Nations.


Mr. Gonzalez, who was Director of the Police Officer Lauretha Vaird Unit, was recently promoted as the Vice President of Operations for both the Police Officer Lauretha Vaird and William Cramp Units of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia (http://www.bgcphila.org) which is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. He has been a community organizer for Impact Services, a Lead Neighborhood Organizer for Philadelphia Safe and Sound and served for six years as the Assistant to the Director of the AFL-CIO at the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.


“I am honored for the opportunity to be selected as the Pennsylvania Regional Coordinator for the 2010 International Men’s Day event. I applaud and salute the International Men’s Coordination Committee for their work towards creating awareness and educating Men around the world and the important role they each play in the lives of their young. If we dedicate time to love, nurture and educate today’s children we will not have to punish tomorrow’s men,” Mr. Gonzalez remarked.


“Mr. Gonzalez is a passionate and results-oriented coalition builder who uses a holistic approach to creating key ‘pieces of the puzzle’ to resolving a myriad of issues that include reducing youth violence, promoting youth opportunities, and the empowerment of families and communities. I am looking forward to working with Mr. Gonzalez and supporting him in his role as the Pennsylvania Regional Coordinator for 2010 International Men’s Day,” stated Diane A. Sears, United States Coordinator for 2010 International Men’s Day and a member of the International Men’s Day Coordination Committee.


International Men’s Day was founded in 1999 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, a History Lecturer at the West Indies University, Trinidad Tobago, and the Chairman of the International Men’s Day Coordination Committee whose membership comprises Warwick Marsh (Australia), Global Coordinator for International Men’s Day, Jason Thompson (Australia), Historian and Global Promotions Coordinator for International Men’s Day, Uma Challa, Coordinator for India - for International Men’s Day, and Diane A. Sears, Coordinator for the United States of America – International Men’s Day.


Dr. Teelucksingh, in 1999, put into place the Core Objectives of International Men’s Day which gives individuals and groups wanting to celebrate International Men’s Day in their own community, the framework and foundation for their celebrations. The Core Objectives of International Men’s Day which were ratified by members of the International Men’s Day Committee in December 2009 are as follows:


• To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sports men but everyday, 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 men; 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 people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential.


Individuals, institutions, and organizations in Pennsylvania in the United States that are interested in participating in 2010 International Men’s Day, should contact Mr. John Gonzalez, the Pennsylvania Regional Director by telephone at (215) 457-8480 or send an e-mail to: 1958johng@verizon.net.


For further information about International Men’s Day, visit its website at http://www.international-mens-day.com..