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23 July, 2014

2014 INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


 Q: What is International Men’s Day?

 A: International Men’s Day is a global grassroots movement which honors and celebrates the invaluable contributions and selfless sacrifices that Men make every day to our families, our communities, and our world. International Men’s Day has the potential to become the global medium to heal our world. The concept and themes of International Men’s Day are designed to give hope to the depressed, faith to the lonely, comfort to the broken-hearted, transcend barriers, eliminate stereotypes and create a more caring humanity. Since its inception, International Men’s Day has blossomed into a movement which promotes goodwill and positively transforms the lives of many persons and it is an event that resonates with Women as well as Men. Women and Men work together to plan and stage events in observance of International Men’s Day. A number of women currently serve as Regional and Global Coordinators for 2014 International Men’s Day which is being observed in 80 nations around the world.


 Q. When is International Men’s Day celebrated?

 A. International Men’s Day is celebrated on November 19th and it shares a 48-hour partnership with Universal Children’s Day which is celebrated on November 20th and is endorsed by the United Nations. On Wednesday, 19 November 2010, International Men’s Day will be observed by 80 nations throughout our global village.


 Q, What is the theme for 2014 International Men’s Day?

 A “Working Together for Men and Boys” is the theme for 2011 International Men’s Day. Q. Why is 2014 International Men’s Day focusing on boys? What will be accomplished? A. On International Men’s Day – Wednesday, 19 November 2014 – we are inviting people all over the world to host events and initiatives that involve:

 • Like-minded people finding ways to work together for Men and Boys 
• People from diverse perspectives finding ways to work together for Men and Boys
 • People in different countries finding ways to work together for Men and Boys 
• And most importantly, Men and Women finding ways to work together for Men and Boys 

 We look forward to people all over the world finding ways to work together that reflect the Six Pillars of International Men’s Day which means:
 ONE: Working together to promote positive male role models 
 TWO: Working together to celebrate Men’s positive contributions 
 THREE: Working together to focus on Men’s health and well-being 
 FOUR: Working together to highlight discrimination against males 
 FIVE: Working together to improve gender relations and improve gender equality
 SIX: Working together to create a safer, better world.


Q. When was International Men’s Day founded?

 A. International Men’s Day was founded in 1999 by Jerome Teelucksingh, Ph.D., a faculty member of the History Department at the University of West Indies.


 Q. What is the mission of International Men’s Day?

 A. The mission of International Men’s Day is embodied in its six (6) Core Objectives – objectives which also serve as the foundation and framework for individuals and organizations throughout our global village who are observing this day in their own communities. The six (6) Core Objectives which were established in 1999 by Dr. Teelucksingh, the Founder of International Men’s Day, are:

 • 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.


 Q. Describe the “International Men’s Day Healing and Repatriation Initiative”.

 A. The “International Men’s Day Healing and Repatriation Initiative” was founded by the United States Coordinator for International Men’s Day, Diane A. Sears. In 2012, for the first time, International Men’s Day was observed in a correctional facility – the Clinton Correctional Facility located in Dannemora, New York. The success of the inaugural observance of 2012 International Men’s Day at the Clinton Correctional Facility spawned the creation of the International Men’s Day “Healing and Repatriation Initiative” in January 2013. The International Men’s Day “Healing and Repatriation” Initiative promotes the observance of International Men’s Day in all correctional facilities throughout the United States. Observance of International Men’s Day at correctional facilities can take the form of workshops and discussion groups about issues that are in alignment with the theme of International Men’s Day. The International Men’s Day “Healing and Repatriation” Initiative’s mission involves providing approximately 2,500,000 souls in the United States who are incarcerated with an opportunity to participate in a worldwide event which encourages them to engage in critical thinking about issues that affect them, their families and loved ones, and the communities in which they have lived and will one day return to. It is about helping them to see themselves as ‘part of a whole’. It is one of the many ‘first steps’ that must be taken to heal and “reconnect” spiritually, psychologically, and emotionally approximately 700,000 souls who are released from American prisons every year and place them on the path to successful reintegration into society. For further information about the International Men’s Day “Healing and Repatriation Initiative”, send an e-mail to: insearchoffatherhood@gmail.com.


 Q. Describe the USA 2012-2022 International Men’s Day Ten Year Plan

 A. The USA 2012-2022 International Men’s Day Ten Year Plan has targeted -- on a quantifiable basis – resolution of the following key challenges which prevent Men and Boys from living happy, fulfilled, healthier, and longer lives:

 1. EDUCATION - Reduce school dropout rate for boys and young adolescent males by 50% - Increase literacy rates for boys and young adolescent males by 80%
 - Explore existing models that effectively address school dropout and literacy issues to determine if they can be implemented nationally
- Design and implementation of tutoring and mentoring programs  

2. COMMISSION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL ON BOYS AND MEN 
 - Advocate support for Warren Farrell, Ph.D.’s proposal for the establishment of a White House Council on Boys and Men (www.whitehouseboysmen.org or www,warrenfarrell.com)

 3. MASS INCARCERATION, RE-ENTRY, AND REINTEGRATION Mass Incarceration:
 - Identify causative factors attributing to rising number of boys, young adolescent males, and Men being incarcerated (e.g., poverty, lack of positive role models, lack of education, lack of economic opportunities, dysfunctional families, etc.)
 - Explore existing models that eradicate causative factors attributable to placing boys, adolescent males, and Men on the “fast track” to prison Re-Entry/Reintegration: - Design and implement mandatory one (1) year minimum two-tiered “psychological debriefing” program for formerly incarcerated and their families and loved ones to (a) provide formerly incarcerated with psychological and emotional tools needed to resolve self-esteem, anger management, and decision making issues and (b) provide family members and loved ones with emotional and psychological tools to help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully navigate the arduous journey to healing, redemption, and reintegration
 - Mandatory Mentoring Program which matches up a newly released incarcerated individual with a formerly incarcerated individual who has a successful track record of reintegrating into society and family life for one-on-one mentoring

 4. FATHERHOOD
 - Male Parenting Programs that educate Boys and young adolescent males who are not Fathers as well as expectant fathers on their parental roles and responsibilities (e.g., changing diapers, feeding, what infants and children need – e.g., nurturing, mentoring, bonding, etc., types of effective age-based discipline, etc.)
 - Passage and enactment of Federal Equal Custody Act which would provide among other things, (a) courts with a mandate in child custody cases to grant Fathers full and physical joint custody of a child; (b) parenting time credit which would work to reduce the amount of child support a Father pays according to the additional amount of time he spends with his child; and (c) paternity leave for all Fathers.

 5. HEALTH
 - Passage and enactment of Men’s Health legislation which would, among other things, create an Office of Men’s Health in the United States Department of Health and Human Services which would advocate for medical research and medical research funding for prostate cancer, colon cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension etc. in the same manner in which the Office of Women’s Health (established in 1991 in the United States Department of Health and Human Services) has successfully advocated for Women’s Health
 - Reduction by at least 50%, rising mortality rate for prostate cancer, colon cancer, and heart disease
 - Reduction by at least 50%, rising incidence of diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease
 - Reduction by at least 50%, rising incidence of suicide among boys, adolescent males, and Men

 6. VIOLENCE
 - Design and implementation of mandatory conflicts resolution and anger management training for Grades K through 12
 - Reduction by 80% of physical, emotional, and “cyber” bullying

 7. MILITARY IN TRANSITION
 - Reduce by 50%, homelessness among veterans/military personnel 
- Reduce by 50%, suicide among veterans/military personnel - Reduce by 50%, unemployment rate among veterans/military personnel
 - Reduce by 50%, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome among veterans/military personnel


 Q. Is International Men’s Day intended to compete with International Women’s Day?

 A. No. The early pioneers of International Men’s Day remind us that International Men’s Day is not intended to and does not compete with International Women’s Day. The purpose of International Men’s Day is to highlight men’s experience and to improve gender relations and foster greater collaboration among genders.


 Q. Identify some of the countries that will participate in 2014 International Men’s Day?

 A. The countries that are planning events observing 2014 International Men’s Day, include, but are not limited to the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, Italy, the United States, Argentina, Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Norway, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Denmark


Q. Is there a website for International Men’s Day which will provide individuals and organizations with information about the event and how they can participate?

 A. Yes. Individuals and organizations interested in celebrating International Men’s Day can visit its website at www.imd-global.org. .

HOUSE OF UMOJA, INC. ANNOUNCES “NEXT STEPS” FOR “READING IS RESISTANCE” COMPONENT OF PHILADELPHIA’ S OBSERVANCE OF NATIONAL MILLION FATHER MARCH

CONTACT:   Queen Mother Falaka Fattah President and Chief Executive Officer House of Umoja, Inc. (215) 473-5893 E-Mail:  falakafattah@aol.co...