International Men's Day 2024
International Men's Day is a global observance on the 19th November that celebrates the positive contributions and achievements of men while addressing important issues affecting men's health, well-being, and gender equality. This day provides an opportunity to promote discussions and actions that support men’s physical and mental health, encourage positive role models, and advocate for a more inclusive society.
The 6 Pillars of International Men's Day
- To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sports men but every day, 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.
Positive Male Role Models
International Men's Day 2024 celebrates the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities and this year we are celebrating the influence and contribution of positive male role models.
DCU staff shared stories and memories of the men who they look up to, why they inspired them, how they had impacted them and brought joy.
Jagdishar Singh SIdhu with his granddaughter
My grandfather, a dedicated math teacher from a small village in India, has always been an inspiration to our family. He instilled in his children the importance of education, leading them to successful careers. He also ignited my passion for computer science and encouraged me to dream big. My sister, too, felt his influence, pursuing her own path to become a doctor.
Inspired by him, I pursued my Master's in Business Analytics at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Coming from humble beginnings, achieving this felt surreal. Now, as an analyst at Dublin City University, I often reflect on his unwavering support. Meanwhile, my sister is living her own dream, working as a dentist in Canada. He taught us the value of hard work and perseverance, enabling us to chase our dreams and build lives that honor his legacy. He is a true role model for all of us, proving that with determination, even those from the smallest villages can achieve great things.
Nixie Boran
I have wonderful memories of my grandfather, Nixie Boran, from a line of Nixie Borans - such as the Nixie who led coalminers' and trade union rights in the mid 1900s. He told me once that he came back from the dead (he had sustained a major heart attack and was clinically dead for a brief period of time, only to then recount his experiences to us as young children - the light got brighter with each retelling!) to ensure that myself and my sister went to school, as he believed education to be the most powerful gift to any generation. So much so, when I was preschool, he taught me to write in old script using my left hand (it was fun when it came to school, and being told I wrote the wrong way), and to read. He also taught me math, and he would write sums (formulae, calculations) in the dry dust of our cow lane using his walking stick, and ask me to calculate. I loved those summer evenings with him, and as time went on, I'd bring out a blackboard to the hayfields, and teach him theorems to be learned for my junior cert as he made hay. It sounds like I was brought up in another time, and in a way I was, as he brought an older generation magic to my childhood, and was my guardian while my dad worked and my mother recovered from countless surgeries.
I remember him asking why I didn't do better on a test, if I received 98% for example, as he always wanted me to reflect on how something could be better.
On the day that he passed unexpectedly, I was with him on the crest of his favourite hill that looks over our house and farm, and over three counties. It is a beautiful sight on any day, but on that day in question, I vividly recall us talking about 'predetermination' (I was learning history at the time). His answer now reminds me of Michael Crichton's Butterfly-Effect concept. He said that at any one moment in time, we have the power to change everything, and that each recalibration of the moment, each new moment, is a brand new future (he didn't say it in that way, that is how I now recall it). But at the time, it gave me (and gives me) such hope for the future, such a vision of how a future can be, and anchors control with the person. As his hand moved through the air, explaining this to me, and I was sitting, as I always did, at his right hand (only to his left if he needed any help, after his major stroke), and he went on to say that something small that happens now, can be something wonderful and big somewhere else, sometime else. I will never forget that conversation, and the absolute love I felt for him, and he for me, in that moment. He will always be the most inspiring of male role models in my life (and there are so many including my husband). He taught me values I will never forget - always open the door for the person behind you, be humble - celebrate your success but don't let it consume you, be outside of yourself (your life cannot just be anchored on your self, it must also reflect others), and be kind. The memory of his lifelong curiousity and passion for education will never leave me. I hope in some small way that I impart some of that magic in what I do each day.
North-East England, 70 and 80's.... my farther out of work, the norm. My mother holding a job. My dad would do the housework, the shopping and bring me to school...unusual for the time. The teachers assumed and eventually plucked up the courage to ask...Is Ian's mother alive....of course replied my dad! A lesson in stereotypes and to me as male to take on any roles...not just those expected of me by others!
Tom McCann
My dad died when I was quiet young (12) and my mother was lucky enough to meet her new partner, Tom. This male role model has been in my life for over 40 years. He has guided, supported and advised me throughout my life. He is my father. He is now also a male role model for my daughter, his granddaughter. He would do anything for her, again offering guidance and support. I don't know where we would be if Tom was not in our lives.
James Keating. He was so thoughtful, so much so that at times I would wonder if he had heard my question (of which there were many). He just loved us. He was the quiet, strong, utterly dependable presence in a sometimes unstable time. He taught me to be hardworking. He made me laugh. He listened to me. I will be forever grateful for my Granddad.
Ryan Carey with his Dad Paul
My Dad, Paul Carey, has been the biggest role model in my life, Growing up I seen the sacrifices he made in working longer hours and disregarding his personal needs so he could provide for me and my siblings. No matter how tired he was after work or on his days off, If we ever asked for a favour he would always do it without hesitation.
My Dad thought me so much growing up and would always guide me in the right direction. My best friend Darryl grew up without his father in his life & my dad would treat him just as if he was his own, My dad took Darryl in to live with us for months on end when he had nowhere to go, He would give us advice, cook, joke, laugh & respect us, never judging any of our mistakes but always holding us accountable for our actions. The same goes for my two younger siblings who he always made sure they had everything they needed, he always made sure I was being a good role model too for them and reminding me that whatever I do, they will do too.
My father encouraged being competitive, I recall playing sports against each other as a teenager and he would always be better than me, but the friendly trash talk kept me motivated to win against him. I'm very fortunate to have a great caring and supportive father as a positive role model in my life to teach me right from wrong. It is often easy for young men to look at sportspeople as a role model or strangers on social media, and that is also great. But having a father, older brother, uncle, cousin, family friend in your life that has good morals, cares about you, knows you and guides you in the right direction is something with benefits that can't be matched.
It may seem a cliché to nominate my Dad as an inspirational male role model, but no male figure has inspired me more. There is the typical element of the story that he worked very hard to provide for our family, but it is more complicated than that. My Dad had opportunities in his life that he didn’t take and he also failed in business. Yet he picked himself up, put his family ahead of his pride and worked nights as a taxi driver for many years. This was the ultimate sacrifice as this pathway foregone any chance of redemption in his business ventures.
Most importantly of all however, my Dad thought me to ask why. He would not explore the how until he understood the why and he taught me the value of critical thinking and education. He is 77 years old now and he still approaches every subject with a childhood curiosity and wonder. This can sometimes be perplexing and even annoying, but it is also inspiring.
Staff Resources
Employee Assistance Service (EAS)
The EAS provides you with immediate access to ‘In the Moment’ support for your mental wellbeing with a wide variety of problems. The service provides access to a fully qualified team of counsellors and experts who are highly experienced in personal and work-related issues and can support anyone suffering with issues including but not limited to:
- Depression, anxiety, stress
- Grief and bereavement
- Addictions
- Relationship and marital problems
- Work stress and work-life balance issues
- Workplace conflict and communication
- Life transitions such as career progression or retirement
Wellbeing at DCU
The new DCU People Wellbeing Strategy is committed to promoting a positive employee experience by creating a work environment where every employee feels supported and can thrive. The Wellbeing strategy is organised under four pillars which are are complemented by a wide range of supports, programmes and events.
