Robert Birch ‘Sustainable Masculinity’ Program – International Men’s Day

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International Men’s Day: Positive Male Role Models Desired

On Thursday November 19, 2009 men from around the globe will celebrate together an evolving male culture based on mutual equality, respect, responsibility and health. The theme for International Men’s Day 2009 is ‘Positive Male Role Models’. Men and their fathers, men’s groups, organizations supporting fathers and hopefully many fathers and sons will take time out to consider, celebrate and share what it means to be a well-valued man in today’s culture. With so many crippling media stereotypes, men are encouraged to redefine their masculinity in ways that are supportive of their own health and well-being, of one another, their partners, families and communities. Not without controversy, the International Men’s Day (IMD) attempted to establish itself in the early 1960’s as a brother organization of the long-standing and hard-won International Women’s Day celebrated on March 8th. The International Men’s Day has now gained world-wide momentum over the past several years.

With the support of other national organizers, Australian IMD coordinator Phil Gouldson has offered the following as the goals of International Men’s Day:

• Celebrate manhood and the wonderful positive and valuable contributions our men, young men, and boys make to our communities and to our societies
• Promote and Support gender equality, encouraging men to address responsibly and positively the challenges facing them in society
• Demonstrate strength of character and courage in meeting the challenges that men face in society and in contributing to building stronger and better communities, where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential

Over the last decade people have honoured International Men’s Day by hosting social gatherings, public forums, classroom activities at schools, media programs, at Church, marches, awards ceremonies, and art projects.

Locally, social educator Robert Birch will be launching a ten-week class for men called Sustainable Masculinity. The project will begin mid-January and include topics on father-son relationships, health and healing, communication skills, the value and expression of appropriate anger, personal vision and community service. Call 653-0036 or contact Robert by Email for more information. As an international educator in the field of community development Birch brings over twenty years of experience to the table. Birch says, “This project is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic group of men to gather on a weekly basis to offer one another encouragement, support and inspiration.”

So how can you celebrate the men in your life? Perhaps a kind word of appreciation for being the kind of man the world needs. Suggestions from other countries include buying a single red rose for the men to wear as a way to challenge gender stereotypes -to remind the world that many men value, nurture and work on behalf of our community and the beauty of life.

For information, blogs, forums, webcasts, posters, logos and other resources for International Men’s Day on 19 November 2009 visit International Men’s Day website at:   www.internationalmensday.com

More About Robert Birch

Robert Birch, M.A., travels throughout North America and around the globe leading group trainings and retreat programs that support and challenge participants to take more healthier and more imaginative risks in their lives and organizations. As a social activist and educator he trains and facilitates a variety of cutting edge cultural-enhancement projects. On a one on one basis, Robert also gently supports individual clients to evolve through self-limiting beliefs and chronic social patterns in order to step more intimately and more radically into the adventure of their own lives.

He feels honoured to serve many diverse populations including men’s groups, chronic health sufferers, youth, coastal native organizations, the LGBT community, women’s organizations, federal prisons, Canada World Youth as well as guiding visionary government, religious, business, youth and educational leaders to follow their visions of making their programs and services more creative, accessible and effective.

Robert received his M.A. from the University of Victoria in the fields of Applied theatre and Educational Psychology; a B.F.A. from Toronto’s Ryerson University and is a graduate of the International School of Playback Theatre in New York, as well as an active member of the Mankind Project. During a rigorous eight-year apprenticeship he researched and developed several highly effective approaches to group communication. Over the past twenty years Robert’s primary areas of interest include personal and social health and well-being; conflict as a creative tool for constructive change; fostering social diversity; tracking personal and cultural mythologies and promoting community mentorship.

He is presently offering a series of community projects over the coming months:  Sustainable Masculinity; exploring men’s social health and well-being; Ritual Studies and Rites of Passage;The Velvet Rage, based on Alan Downs research of how gay men can “overcome the pain of growing up gay in a straight man’s world”; The Artist’s Way, based on the international best seller by Julia Cameron; and with Jamie Capranos, DCH,CCH,RCSHom, Body Intelligence, reclaiming our authority for one’s own personal and family health; Ancestral Healing; and The Elements of Magic.

Robert lives with his partner Mark on an organic heritage seed farm on Saltspring Island, BC. For more information please visit www.playbacktraining.com