Dr. Teelucksingh chose the date partly to coincide with his father's birthday, whom he felt was an excellent male role model, and also because it was the day in which the football team in his country created a level of unity which crossed gender, religious and ethnic divisions. He added, "I realized there was no day for men... some have said that there is Father's Day, but what about young boys, teenagers and men who are not fathers?"
Early objectives of IMD proposed by Dr. Teelucksingh were 1. Improving gender relations between men and women, 2. Addressing problems and challenges of men, 3. Promoting gender equality, 4. Highlighting positive role models, and 5. Creating a safer, better world. Of these he emphasised the importance of positive male role models, "not just movie stars and sports men but everyday, working class men who are living decent, honest lives". He also suggested there had developed an unfair practice of 'stereotyping' and 'unfairly branding' males as perpetrators of violence in homes and in society, and said that this was one of the issues he hoped to start addressing.
The idea of celebrating an International Men's Day received written support from U.N. officials in UNESCO and the event has continued to be celebrated annually in Trinidad and Tobago and other countries since it's beginning.
Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh - founder of International Men's Day
"International Men’s Day has the potential to become the global medium to heal our world. The concept and themes of IMD 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, IMD has blossomed into a movement which promotes goodwill and positively transformed the lives of many persons. Every year I am overjoyed to witness and read testimonies of persons who genuinely believe that the observance of IMD has resulted in greater stability in their lives and guided them from darkness into light." Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh - 2009
(right) The first IMD observance in November 1999 - Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh at top
(far right) some attendees at IMD 2004
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In November 2009 Dr. Teelucksingh and other members of the IMD Coordination Committee formally ratified the core objectives of International Men's Day. The Objectives were ratified to protect the central values of IMD and to offer a reliable reference point for future celebrants.
OBJECTIVES OF INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY
The ‘6 Pillars’ of International Men’s Day
1. To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and
sports men but everyday, working class men who are living decent, honest
lives.
2. To celebrate men’s positive contributions to society, community, family, marriage, child care, and to the environment.
3. To focus on men’s health and wellbeing; social, emotional, physical and spiritual.
4. To highlight discrimination against men; in areas of social
services, social attitudes and expectations, and law.
5. To improve gender relations and promote gender equality.
6. To create a safer, better world; where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential.
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ENDORSED BY THE INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY COORDINATION COMMITTEE
Trinidad & West Indies: Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, Founder - International Men's Day
Australia: Warwick Marsh, Global Coordinator - International Men's Day
Australia: Jason Thompson, Global Promotions Coordinator - International Men's Day
India: Uma Challa, International Men's Day Coordinator for India
USA: D.A. Sears, International Men's Coordinator for USA
SOURCES:
- 'UWI student hosts seminar', by Roger D Ramcharitar, Nov 19, (1999) ''Newsday'' editorial
- 'Small Crowd for Men's Day', by Rian Williams, Dec 1st, (2002) The Probe Weekly
- 'Tomorrow is International Men's Day', Nov 18 (2000) ''Newsday'' article
- International Men’s Day observed for the 4th consecutive year in TT, CBTT Article Nov 20, 2002
- ‘Addicts need treatment, not jail’ Article- The Trinidad Guardian 29 Nov 2007
- 'UNESCO comes out in Support of International Men's Day', Article Trinidad Guardian Nov 20, 2001
- Fax from UNESCO- Director Women and a Culture of Peace Ms Ingeborg Breines, 13 July 1999
- Email communication Between Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh and Jason Thompson
- Core Objectives of International Men's Day - by Diane Sears December 2009