From: Jason Thompson

To: mensra@maltanet.net

Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2009 7:57 AM

Subject: International Men's Day question

Dear Sir,

I read on your Association for Men's Rights (Malta) website that you have instituted an International Men's Day in Malta:  "We have introduced in Malta the International Men's Day on 7th February of every year like it is done in most countries of the world." http://www.freewebs.com/mensrightsmalta/  

I am writing about the history and growth of International Men's Day, and wonder if you would tell me more about your IMD efforts? Do you still celebrate it? Did you ever? As you may be aware there are many countries now celebrating IMD on the 19th of November each year: http://international-mens-day.com/   

If you still celebrate IMD I would very much like to hear of your efforts. If you no longer celebrate IMD, then I would like to invite your organization to consider re-celebrating with other countries on the 19th of November. 

Friendly regards, 

Jason Thompson (IMD-Nonprofit and Fathers4Equality - Australia)

----- Original Message -----

From: John Zammit

To: Jason Thompson

Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 11:37 PM

Subject: Re: International Men's Day question  

Dear Sir,

Yes the Association for Men's Rights has been celebrating the 7th February of every year since 1994 and that happened after in Malta in 1993 the United Nations organized a World Forum on the Family and when I distributed a pocket calendar to all the delegated a certain Mr. Edward Read Burton, the archivist of the Michigan State University Library gave me several information and got me in contact with a United States Men's organization and they gave me in formation about how in the USA this day was celebrated. Mr. Burton also wanted our newsletter "Male Order" to be archived with other world men's organizations newsletter and he has got the biggest collection of men's newsletters from all countries of the world. He also began sending me extra copies he had and so I have quite a good collection now. See attached information. We celebrate the international men's day in Malta by organizing a dinner or lunch or reception for our members and also give a prize to certain members who do certain acts of bravery for our organization and men's rights. On one occasion we honoured committee members for the removal of the impediment of departure which we had on men in separation/divorce cases. Before 1995 all men who had problems with their wives in Malta, be it Maltese or foreigners, could not leave the island while their case was still in court and so were imprisoned in Malta. 

I will send you more information if you need.

Thanks and regards. 

Dr. John  Zammit

President and Founder,

Association for Men's Rights Malta

www.freewebs.com/mensrightsmalta

60A, Strait Street, Valletta VLT 1436

Malta - Europe

Tel/Fax: (356) 21690365, 99459714

mensra@maltanet.net , jpzammit@di-ve.com

----- Original Message -----

From: Jason Thompson

To: John Zammit

Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 9:25 PM

Subject: Re: International Men's Day question

Dear John,

I thank you for the description of your IMD practices- holding dinner/lunch to celebrate, and a prize ceremony noteworthy contributors to men's issues. This prize giving is an excellent idea and one that other organization may like to consider.

As part of documenting your Maltese IMD since 1994 it will be helpful if you could provide any newsletters, announcments, press releases, newspaper articles, or website mentions of your IMD event. Do you have a few such examples that I could cite regarding your IMD efforts?

I realize such 'grass roots' events are not always recorded in print, but if you have anything to share it will help to verify the reality. This will also help to silence any critics who question the facts.

Sincerely,

----- Original Message -----

From: Jason Thompson

To: John Zammit

Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 2:08 PM

Subject: Re: International Men's Day question

Dear John,

Thank you for this very useful information. It is heartening to hear that the IMD stream which began in Kansas in 1993 is still alive in Malta, since it has ceased to be celebrated in all other parts, including Australia and the United States. From my research it looks like Malta is the single remaining country celebrating in February.

Therefore it looks as though your Malta IMD effort is the oldest continuously running annual event in the world!

I would like to write up the history of your IMD celebration in two places, the Wikipedia entry and the Global IMD Website here: http://international-mens-day.com/ . I will also include your efforts in the introduction to a book I am writing on IMD.

Unfortunately there is a barrier to publicising your efforts on the Wikipedia page because the entry is strictly classified as 'November observances' and as 'Recurring events established in 1999', which means that for an observance to qualify for this article it must be celebrated on the November date (established in 1999). The same date barrier stands in the way of submitting details of your observances to the Global IMD Website which is also a Nov 19 event.

To surmount this problem I'd like to make a proposal that the Association for Men's Rights consider celebrating IMD on November 19, as well as continuing with your traditional February event. Alternatively might you consider shifting your celebration permanently to November 19? The benefit to your organization is that we can then include details of your efforts on the two main IMD websites devoted to recording the history, ie. you will be considered the undisputed elders of the event. We could say something like, "The earliest continuing observation of International Men's Day is by the Maltese Association for Men's Rights organization, which originally celebrated IMD in February in consecutive years since it's inauguration in 1994, and which shifted the date of it's celebration to coincide with the November 19 IMD increasingly observed by other nations."  

I hope you can consider this proposal with your colleagues, as without such a change I am limited to recording your efforts in the book only, which to me seems unfortunate considering the longevity of your annual celebration. Whichever direction you decide upon you have my total respect.

Best regards.

Jason Thompson 

----- Original Message -----

From: John Zammit

To: Jason Thompson

Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 1:42 AM

Subject: Re: International Men's Day question

Dear John,

I am not sure if you have received my previous email?

I am writing to say your IMD has been added to the International Men's Day Global Website here: http://international-mens-day.com/Malta.html

Can you please take a look and tell me if you want anything corrected or anything added to the article. Do you have a picture of yourself we can post as "founder" of the Maltese IMD? 

Thank you, 

----- Original Message -----

From: John Zammit

To: Jason Thompson

Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 1:42 AM

Subject: Re: International Men's Day question
 

Dear Jason,

Thank you for taking the initiative about the IMD. In fact we had a committee meeting yesterday Saturday 17th January 2009 and I told them about your correspondence and about moving our IMD to 19th November from this year (2009) to coincide with all the others around the world. All the committee agreed and so it was carried. So please you can announce that we are now the same as all the others.

The article I have seen and read and you found a good photo, which I was going to send you one like it. On that website of our conference room at Valletta in fact there are other photos of our association's activities. Thanks again.

John Zammit
www.freewebs.com/mensrightsmalta

----- Original Message -----

From: Nkululeko Nxesi

To: Jason Thompson

Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:43 PM

Subject: International Men's day project 

Morning. 

My name is Nkululeko Nxesi, I am the Secretary General Of Both NAPWA ( National Association of people living with HIV and AIDS ) and POMESA (Positive Men's Movement of South Africa) Both organisations were responsible for the international Men's day In South Africa. I noticed that you have requested for more information regarding this. Thank you for asking. We will provide you with that information soon. 

Thank you very much. Nkululeko Nxesi

NAPWA 0725308090 

----- Original Message -----

From: Jason Thompson

To: Nkululeko Nxesi

Cc: sg@napwa.org.za

Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2009 6:26 PM

Subject: Re: International Men's day project

Good Morning,

Thank you for your response. I look forward to receiving any information regarding how NAPWA and POMESA observes International Men's Day in South Africa.

As mentioned in my previous email (below) I have asked some questions which will help me write about your efforts. I also help run a respectable International Men's Day website here: http://international-mens-day.com/ . I would like to add a 'South Africa' page to this website in order to promote your efforts as Secretary General of NAPWA and POMESA, as well as the themes your organizations promoted on this special international men's day. This offer is completely free of cost to you and is carried out by myself as a volunteer researcher for the International Men’s Day project.

Please advise if you wish to have your information (about your work as Secretary General, and your organization's efforts) added to the above website. The website is the best IMD resource on the www, is read by many people around the world, and is very useful for bringing publicity to organizations which contribute to IMD.  

Best wishes in your endeavours,

Jason Thompson

----- Original Message -----

From: Nkululeko Nxesi

To: Jason Thompson

Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 2:58 AM

Subject: Re: International Men's day project

Sir.

Thankyou for this positive opportunity. I will respond and give you all the information that you requested. We will appreciate and benefit from placing our work to your website. 

  ----- Original Message -----

From: Nkululeko Nxesi

To: Jason Thompson

Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 10:40 PM

Subject: Re: International Men's day project

Dear Sir.

I must first humbly apologise for the delay in providing you with the information that you have requested. It is just a busy time as its our financial year end.

Please receive the information attached. I will send you posters and banners as we still need to take a picture of them and scan them .We are just finalising editing the Video that we recorded. Once it is done I will  also sent it to you. I Hope and wish that we communicate for an enhanced partnership in ensuring that we advance the project.

Thank you

----- Original Message -----

From: Jason Thompson

To: Nkululeko Nxesi

Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 7:50 AM

Subject: Re: International Men's day project

Dear Sir,

Thank you for this material, which I will advertise on the International Men's Day website.

You mention that POMESA and NAPWA will organize IMD annually (on the 6^th of December every year). This causes a small problem because all the other countries celebrate IMD on November 19, which is 17 days earlier. To make your IMD celebration an "international" date I would like to invite you to consider joining with us on November 19. Is this possible? I respect your choice if you do not wish to change the date, but sincerely hope you can, and we can publicize your fantastic efforts!

Like you, the Maltese Association for Men's Rights was celebrating IMD on a different date (February 7) but recently took up our invitation to celebrate on November 19: http://international-mens-day.com/Malta.html .

You are very doing important work in Africa and you have our admiration. We all need to work together to raise awareness about aids, violence, alcoholism, and the other problems you mention. These are problems in all countries, and again we thank you for leading the way. Likewise we need to highlight positive male role models. 

We look forward to receiving any more information, including poster or banners, which we can add to the website.

Regards

----- Original Message -----

From: Nkululeko Nxesi

To: Jason Thompson

Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 10:16 PM

Thank you for your e-mails. 

We will appreciate a e-forum discussion on this matter. If many countries have confirmed 19 November as the international Men's day I think it is worth looking at. However I have to consult with the National Board of both NAPWA and POMESA on this. I will also request if you could write a formal letter in this regard that I can present it. I do not think it will be difficult for us to change as long as there are benefits of doing so. 

Thanks  

----- Original Message -----

From: Jason Thompson

To: Nkululeko Nxesi

Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 12:05 AM

Subject: IMD invitation

Attached is a formal invitation written on behalf of IMD-Nonprofit and Fathers4Equality which I co-manage. I wrote it very quickly as I have a busy week ahead and thought to rush it through now. I hope is sufficient. 

Good luck,

Jason Thompson

APRIL 9.  2009                                                                           

An invitation to the Directors of NAPWA and POMESA,

On behalf of IMD-Nonprofit and Fathers4Equality

http://international-mens-day.com/  http://www.fathers4equality-australia.org/  

Dear Directors, Greetings from Australia.

My name is Jason Thompson, a volunteer worker for Fathers4Equality and the IMD-Nonprofit in Australia. These organizations are respected non-government organizations which assist in building strong and healthy relationships between fathers and children, including the promotion of positive and healthy male role models which might help slow the tide of addiction, diseases and community violence.

My role in these organizations is Assistant Manager and lead Researcher for the International Men’s Day global website which IMD-Nonprofit funds and operates. The International Men’s Day website is a free service offered to organizations around the world which host IMD events, such as your own. We offer to write a page detailing each country’s efforts to celebrate this event, and this offer is completely free of charge or obligation. Our motivation is to raise awareness about IMD in the hope that the event will become stronger and offer organizations a platform from which to highlight issues facing men today, and to celebrate all positive contributions men make to society. The world media are beginning to follow and report on IMD celebrations around the world, and this allows greater opportunity for organizations to raise awareness about important issues.  

International Men’s Day was started in 1999 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, a history lecturer living in Trinidad and Tobago. Since it’s early beginning the IMD has spread to many countries and is now celebrated in Jamaica, Australia, India, United Kingdom, Singapore, USA and more new countries are pledging to join in celebrating this year, such as Hungary and Canada.

All these countries celebrate IMD on the same day- November 19 every year. There are some organizations which have previously tried to establish International Men’s Day on other days of the year such as the Maltese Association for Men’s Rights which celebrated IMD each year on the 7th March since 1994. One problem with these dates is that they can not be validly considered an “international date” of celebration if they are the only country which observed it. For this reason the Maltese AMR has undertaken discussions and agreed to shift their celebrations to November 19 to be in unity with the other countries. This is a unifying gesture which will bring further publicity to the event this year.

As with the Maltese organization, I wish to humbly invite the Board members of both NAPWA and POMESA to consider shifting the date of your International Men’s Day celebration to coincide with the others on November 19. This would further strengthen the global observation, and create a powerful platform for each of our organizations to highlight the issues we each feel is important. I will add that nobody ‘owns’ IMD nor does it have a central organizing body. The only guidelines we presently have are those suggested by the founder of IMD Dr. Teelucksingh which are;  

1. Improving gender relations between men and women, 2. Addressing problems and challenges of men, 3. Promoting gender equality, 4. Highlighting men's contributions to the world, 5. Highlighting positive male role models, and 6. Creating a safer, better world.

In future the managing representatives of organizations which celebrate IMD may form an International Men’s Day Task-Team to share ideas, plan, and co-ordinate yearly themes around the planet. But this is little more than an idea at present. 

I hope you can join with the other countries on the 19th November, and if so I will be able to construct a web-page promoting your efforts. If you do not wish to shift the date of your celebration, or it is logistically too difficult, I fully understand and respect your decision. 

In admiration of your efforts,

Regards,

Jason Thompson

----- Original Message -----

From: Nkululeko Nxesi

To: Jason Thompson

Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 8:37 PM

Subject: From South Africa  

Dear Sir.

Thanks you for the letter that you sent to me. The National Board of the two organisations will meet and discuss this matter. I do not foresee any serious challenges in terms of aligning our event with the others as I said before.

I just wanted to raise two issues i.e.

1) We are planning to have a meeting of men from African countries with an intention of forming a men's movement of the African continent. This planned organisation will ensure that in each country there is a Men's organisation that strives to mobilise and involve men in the fight for a just a peaceful society free from all forms of abuse and sufferings. We are therefore requesting your organisation to assist us in realising this dream in any way that you can. We also think that it is in that meeting that the issue of Men's day can also be pushed and adopted so that many countries form the continent can join in.

Secondly, We are already starting preparing for the International Men's day for South Africa. We therefore request your assistance and guidance to make it one of the remarkable event. You help and support in any way we be highly appreciated in this regard. Have you worked on the theme for the 2009 International Men's day? I think we need to have global theme as soon as possible.

Your positive response in this issues will be highly appreciated.

Yours sincerely

----- Original Message -----

From: Jason Thompson

To: Nkululeko Nxesi

Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:59 PM

Subject: Re: From South Africa

Dear Nkululeko Nxesi,

This is good news to hear that you are planning a meeting with men from other African countries, and you have our full support. Although we cannot offer much, we can at least offer each participating African country a separate page on the IMD website, where they can publicise their efforts (whatever those efforts may be). This we can offer as a donation to your causes.

Each country is free to select the theme/s they wish to highlight for IMD. Several countries in previous years have observed the same yearly theme together, though a few countries choose to highlight issues unique to their particular region. Some themes of previous years have been men's health, world peace, labour/work, cancers, contribution to society and family, male sacrifices for others, community and domestic violence prevention, sports, and male role models. There has been talk by a few countries of highlighting health issues again this year but this is not confirmed.

As you may be joining in this November 19, I would like to invite you to propose this year's theme, perhaps in consultation with your superiors and with men from the other African countries. If you are able to nominate a theme/s of importance for African countries, I can lobby other participating nations and invite them to observe and highlight the same themes. This unified approach would be powerful and may bring useful media attention and potential funding spin-offs to further our efforts.

So please notify me with the outcome of that meeting so that we can begin our work,

Regards,

  ----- Original Message -----

From: Nkululeko Nxesi

To: Jason Thompson

Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 3:56 AM

Subject: Re: International Men’s Day 'theme' 2009

I have passed this theme to the Board for consideration. We have agreed to celebrate the Men's day on the same dates with other countries!! Can you please remind me on how you can assist us in making this event success in our country?

Thanks

  ----- Original Message -----

From: Jason Thompson

To: Nkululeko Nxesi

Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 7:26 AM

Subject: Re: International Mens Day 'theme' 2009

Dear Sir,

Good news to hear you are joining the other countries on 19th November! Now that you have confirmed this I can go ahead and start constructing a promotional webpage (here: http://international-mens-day.com/ ) about you and your IMD efforts last year, and about your intention to celebrate this year. I will highlight the work great work done in POMESA and NAPWA. As you develop more plans for this year please inform me and I will add this material to your promotional webpage. This will bring much publicity to your organization’s efforts.

I will start adding this material over the next week and will contact you again when I have constructed a basic webpage. You may then advise me if you want the page changed or if you want more information added. Should I put your personal email address on the page as the main contact for POMESA and NAPWA? Do you wish me to place other contact emails or phone numbers on the webpage? Please inform.

Kind regards

Jason Thompson

  ----- Original Message -----

From: Nkululeko Nxesi

To: Jason Thompson

Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 8:36 PM

Dear Sir. My name is Nkululeko Nxesi from South Africa From NAPWA and POMESA. I hope you might still remember me. I must apologise for the communication blackout. I have been very busy on other projects. We are now starting preparing for the International Men's day which we have agreed that it will be on the 19 of November so as to align it with the other countries. 

As indicated before we request for help in any way that you can.  I am busy preparing a press statement for this event. I need some few information. I.e  How many and which countries are going to participate in the 2009 International Men's day project? What is the theme for this year? I remember that you had sent me an e-mail regarding that but I think that e-mail has erased itself 

Can you also help us with a letter from the International men's day project endorsing NAPWA/POMESA as organisations organising this event in South Africa on behalf of the International Men's day project. This will help us to profile this event as part of the international group and will help us to get more support. 

your urgent response will be highly appreciated. 

Yours Sincerely  

----- Original Message -----

From: Jason Thompson

To: Nkululeko Nxesi

Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 7:39 AM

Subject: Re:

Greetings,

It is good to hear from you once again. I have attached a comprehensive statement to this email [see attached MS doc.] which may help you with your press release. This year we (so far) have participants from 14 countries, including: Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Malta, Jamaica, Australia, India, United States, Hungary, Haiti, Singapore, China, and the United Kingdom. This year's proposed theme is 'Proud To Be Male' which can be interpreted to suit the aspirations of local celebrations.

Please keep in touch as you prepare, and I will highlight your plans on the global IMD website.

Kind regards,

----- Original Message -----

From: Jason Thompson

To: Nkululeko Nxesi

Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 8:07 AM

Subject: Welcome

Welcome to the International Men's Day Project!

On behalf of our members I welcome you to the Global IMD project, and wish you every success in your planning and celebrations

Regards

Jason Thompson

International Men’s Day Coordinator

THE GROWTH OF INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY

Quotes from writings of Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh

“My early efforts at observing and promoting International Men’s Day were not successful. There was a disappointing public response as the first observances attracted only 5 to 10 persons. And, most of the times, members of my family comprised half the audience! The government and private businesses in my country were not interested in International Men’s Day. So, I had to use personal expenses to print invitations, place newspaper advertisements, rent venues and purchase refreshments. These early efforts seemed as failures and I wanted to stop the observances and forget the entire concept of International Men’s Day.” (written April 2010)

“I could be considered the founder of this version of IMD on 19 November but we need to also acknowledge the pioneering efforts of persons and groups before 1999 who attempted to formulate a day for men. My role is marginal and I should not be the focus. The real heroes and heroines are the humble persons around the globe who have promoted IMD and demonstrated dedication and sacrifice for the past decade. They are the ones to be honoured. The steering committee of 2008 proved to be a powerful catalyst which contributed to the rapid spread of IMD.”   (December 2009)