With special guests:
- Glen Poole
- Cathleen Williams
- David Hatfield
International Men’s Day (IMD) 2011 will be celebrated in over 50 countries around the world on 19 November and the 2011 theme is:
Giving Boys the Best Possible Start in Life
This week we drop in on the IMD coordinators in the UK, the USA and Canada to hear directly from the organisers some of their achievements since being appointed and what they have planned for 2011. The speakers are all entertaining and inspiring as we go across the world to hear from them. IMD is fast approaching as we devote the second of three shows to this important event.
What’s happening in England?
Our first guest today is Glen Poole, the Strategic Director of The Men’s Network and UK Coordinator for International Men’s Day.
Glen tells us about the First National Conference for Men & Boys 2011 held on 1 November by The Men’s Network in Brighton & Hove. This turned out to be the biggest gathering of people committed to improving the lives of men and boys ever seen in the UK and is destined to become an annual event.
The Conference relates to the IMD theme for 2011. This year the focus is on five key challenges that boys all over the world face; and these include health and life expectancy, education, tolerance of violence, rights to fatherhood and life choices. Tune in to hear what was said at the conference about these life changing issues.
I’m Just Saying™ in the USA
Our next guest in today’s show is Cathleen Williams in New York. Cathleen is the New York State Regional Coordinator for IMD and someone who has worked passionately on men’s issues. Cathleen is the Executive Producer of I’m Just Saying™ a talk show that airs weekly in New York City.
Cathleen is an entertaining and engaging speaker. Listeners may remember when we spoke to Cathleen last year and will look forward to hearing from her again.
In today’s show Cathleen tells us about SWAGU New York, an exciting mentoring program initiated for young men and supported by an impressive array of leaders in the community. This program will run throughout the year and will be a great way to inspire the young people as to possibilities open to them. We also hear about the Great Men of Excellence Awards on 19 November in which the 2011 Man of the Year will be presented.
Up north to Canada
Our final guest in today’s show is David Hatfield who is an independent facilitator, educator, trainer and consultant. As the Canadian Coordinator for IMD he is hosting Vancouver’s public celebration of IMD on 19 November at the Roundhouse Community Centre as a free public event.
David currently offers a men’s course Manology – Exploring 21st Century Masculinity as well as other programs. However he started his career as a director of boys’ programs, making him ideally qualified in respect of the 2011 theme of IMD. David tells us how he gets boys to express themselves in a secure environment by programs including Dance.
We talk about the official Diversity and Equality Statement adopted by IMD and what this means. In David’s view the focus should be on what unites us rather than what divides us into conflicting camps.
Editor