AKAMAI UNIVERSITY SELECTED AS HAWAII REGIONAL COORDINATOR FOR 2010 INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY

CANBERRA, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA – 17 January 2010 -- The International Men’s Day Coordination Committee has announced that Akamai University (http://www.akamaiuniversity.us), an academic institution which offers one of the most uniquely comprehensive Men’s Studies and Fatherhood curriculums for 2010 International Men’s Day (http://www.internationalmensday.com) which will be observed worldwide on Friday, 19 November 2010. Located in Hilo, Hawaii, under the leadership of its President, Douglass M. Capogrossi, Ph.D., Akamai University will coordinate the participation of individuals, organizations, institutions, and communities throughout Hawaii 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.

“Akamai University and its President, Dr. Douglass Capogrossi, are among the key players of the Global Men’s Movement. Under Dr. Capogrossi’s innovative leadership, Akamai University’s Men’s Studies and Fatherhood curriculum has become a global model for Men’s Studies programs and departments. As an example, its Men’s Studies and Fatherhood curriculum is a permanent degree major concentration in the Master of Applied Psychology Program. It is an honor to work with Akamai University and Dr. Capogrossi. The acceptance by Akamai University and Dr. Capogrossi of their nomination as the Hawaii Regional Coordinator for 2010 International Men’s Day has heightened the level of interest in and excitement for this event which will be observed on Friday, 19 November 2010,” remarked Diane A. Sears, the 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 Hawaii in the United States that are interested in participating in 2010 International Men’s Day, should contact Douglass M. Capogrossi, Ph.D., the Hawaii Regional Director by telephone at 1-877-934-8793 or 1-808-934-8793 or send an e-mail to: dcapogrossi@akamaiuniversity.us.

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

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