This year's theme for International Men's Day is "Giving Boys the Best Possible Start in Life".
Unanderra, NSW -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/18/2011 -- International Men's Day will be celebrated on Saturday the 19 November all over the world. Every year a new theme is chosen for International Men's Day. This year the theme is "Giving Boys the Best Possible Start in Life". Mahatma Gandhi was right to say, "If we are to have real peace, we must begin with our children”. International Men’s Day is growing at an exponential rate around the world. The focus of International Men’s Day is:
- To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sportsmen 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
The past twelve years of commemorating International Men's Day has included public seminars, conferences, festivals and fundraisers, classroom activities at schools, radio and television programs, church observances, and peaceful displays and marches. Organizations and individuals are welcome to host their own events and celebrate International Men’s Day as they feel is best for their own locality and nation.
Warwick Marsh, Global Coordinator from  said, “International Men’s Day is an occasion for men to celebrate their achievements and contributions, in particular their contributions to community, family, marriage, and child care while highlighting the discrimination against them. The November IMD is a significant date as it interfaces the popular 'Movember' charity event which began here in Australia and also with Universal Children's Day on November 20 with which IMD forms a 48 hour celebration of men and children respectively, and of the special relationships they share”.
Dr Jerome Teelucksingh from Trinidad, the founder of International Men’s Day said: “International Men’s Day has continued to cross barriers and embrace people of all nationalities. It continues to grow and build a momentum which resonates throughout the world. This global campaign for peace is very important for the 21st Century as the world encounters such negative forces as terrorism and economic setbacks. More positive role models are now emerging as a result of International Men’s Day and this is beneficial for everyone”.
Uma Challa, coordinator for India said, "International Men’s Day has definitely made men and women around the world pause and think about the many contributions that men make to our lives, the vulnerability of men and the need to love, care and support them every day. This is a great sign and I can only see the men's movement gaining more and more momentum in the coming years”.
Bill Cortizo, website coordinator, said, “International Men's Day is celebrated in over 60 countries of the world, too many to list. Join us on November 19 in celebrating the contribution men and boys make to those around them, to their family and friends, their work place and the community, the nations and the world”.