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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – Approximately 3.6 billion souls of the 7.5 billion souls who occupy this space and place we know as Planet Earth are males – Men and Boys — Homeless Men and Boys, Incarcerated Men, Married Men, Divorced Men, Single Men, Men who are Fathers, physically and mentally disabled Men and Boys, Men and Boys who live in poverty, Men and Boys who are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists and agnostics, Men and Boys who are poor or rich, educated or uneducated, Men and Boys of diverse ethnicities and Men and Boys who speak different languages – French, Urdu, Spanish, English, Portugese, Swahili, Xhosa, Arabic, Gaelic, German, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Italian, Hindi, Bengali, and Punjabi/Lahnda. The experiences of Men and Boys are as diverse as their age, levels of education, religion, ethnicity, language, and culture.
Diversity should evoke celebration and understanding. In an effort to encourage individuals, institutions, and organizations throughout our global village to celebrate the diversity of Men and Boys, 2017 International Men’s Day will be observed under the theme, “Celebrating Men And Boys In All Their Diversity”.
Global and Regional Coordinators for 2017 International Men’s Day are encouraging individuals, organizations, and institutions throughout our global village to engage in solutions-based dialogues that create pathways for designing, implementing, and supporting initiatives which recognize the diversity of Men and Boys – particularly their experiences which are shaped, in part, as an example, by socio-economic status, ethnic and religious bias, language, and culture.
“Celebrating Men And Boys In All Their Diversity” is a “Call To Action”for individuals, institutions, and organizations to innovate the manner in which they design and deliver resources and support services which speak to the unique needs and issues of Men and Boys which addresses their diversity and to refrain from utilizing an “one-size-fits-all” approach to creating tools for Men and Boys that help them empower themselves and strengthen the communities in which they live.
Inaugurated in Trinidad and Tobago on 19 November 1999 by Jerome Teelucksingh, Ph.D., a Gender Issues Thought Leader, humanitarian, faculty member in the History Department of the University of West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago, a prolific author and poet, International Men’s Day celebrates and honors the contributions and sacrifices of Men -_ “everyday men”.
The worldwide observance 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. To date, over 80 nations observe International Men’s Day.
International Men’s Day is a day of observance in which we place our focus on that which unites humanity giving everyone who wants to celebrate International Men’s Day the opportunity to help work towards our shared objectives which we apply equally to men and boys irrespective of their age, ability, social background, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, religious belief and relationship status.
Those objectives 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 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.
For information about observing International Men’s Day in the United States, contact the United States Coordinator for International Men’s Day, Diane A. Sears, by sending an e-mail to: [email protected] or by calling 267-581-3963.
Information about International Men’s Day can also be viewed at
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Photo Credit: Getty Images
Greetings to all readers. International Men’s Day is an ALL and inclusive information resource network, which is very different from the annual Father’s Day celebration. International Men’s Day is a recognition of Boys and Men of ALL ages, ethnicities, religions and various stages of responsibilities and maturity.
Numerous forms of engagement are available to every man and boy in search of stability and self knowledge. Women are also encouraged to participate and be present too.
Join us in your community or village as a contributor of knowledge, experience and leadership for Men and Boys throughout the world.
Lets celebrate #men *International Mens day* Thank you +IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD for sharing the celebration! Shine on men everywhere. Thank you for being you! #InternationalMensDay Hoorah! Men and boys #Diversity does evoke #celebration and understanding.
Thank you for all who help in work to recognise the diversoty in mens roles in society today and as such help in strengthening the power of every mans contribition, no matter what role. Thank you Diane A. Sears and all who assist in the organization of this excellent and very important cellebration everywhere all aroind the world.