ODM Daily Inspirational Devotional Messages Bible Verse and Prayers ODM
Dads Changing the World Through International Men’s Day — The Future is Everyone
You are a world changer because you are a father. Forest Witcraft said, “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove… but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”
Fathers set a child’s destiny more than any other person. Simon Mbevi said, “Dad is destiny. More than virtually any other factor, a biological father’s presence in the family will determine a child’s success and happiness.”
I believe Simon’s words are true, and that’s why Dads4Kids exists — to make you the best dad possible. Jim Volvano said it well, “My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: he believed in me.”
All of the above is confirmed, but there is another reason you are changing the world. As a reader and supporter of Dads4Kids, you are actively changing the world because you are a supporter and partner of Dads4Kids. Dads4Kids is the primary global supporter of International Men’s Day.
Jerome Teelucksingh from Trinidad-Tobago in the Caribbean started International Men’s Day (IMD) on 19 November in 1999. We first learned of IMD in 2007, but few people knew of it at the time.
That’s when the Dads4Kids team could see the beneficial effect of International Men’s Day and how IMD desperately needed global promotions with a global brand. We created the logo, built the IMD website and synchronised the conflicting IMD global dates in 2008. Watch one of my first promo videos here.
With your help over the next 18 years, we poured our heart, soul and finances into the global promotion and celebration of International Men’s Day. The rest is history.
An extensive research effort by David Maywald, author of The Relentless War on Masculinity, has revealed that International Men’s Day 2025 was celebrated in more than 110 countries around the world. This encompasses debates in national parliaments, official recognition by governments, gala dinner functions, keynote speeches, a wide range of media coverage, business events to champion the contributions of men, non-profit activities to rally support for men, gatherings in many different languages, and community festivals to pay respect and admiration towards men.
Your support for Dads4Kids has helped us change the world for the better. We believe your support has saved tens of thousands of men’s lives the world over. Not to mention the fact that a lot more children are happy because they have their dads still with them.
One of the six pillars of International Men’s Day is: “To improve gender relations and promote gender equality.” In this light, the theme for IMD 2026 is “The Future is Everyone”.
Watch the brand new 2-minute promo video below.
International Men’s Day 2026 Theme: “The Future is Everyone”
The International Men’s Day 2026 theme offers a more inclusive vision: “The Future is Everyone”. We all need a future where men and women, boys and girls, can all succeed and flourish.
That matters because men and boys are falling behind in many areas the world over.
Men live around five years less than women.
Male suicide rates are about three times higher.
Men and boys experience much higher rates of homicide than women.
Men face dramatically higher rates of workplace death.
Men are substantially less likely to graduate from university.
Boys underperform girls educationally across much of the world.
Lisa Britton, a writer and advocate for men and boys from the USA, first suggested this theme when she said, “Since the dawn of time, men and women have worked together, not only to survive but to thrive.”
She continued, “Rather than saying the future is only female, I believe that the future is for everyone… Hopefully, we’ll get more women on board; I hope we get more organisations on board, I hope we get the UN on board, and I hope we get more nations on board for International Men’s Day 2026.”
I believe men must work together with women to reverse the so-called gender war and build better relations between men and women all over the world. Let’s make history and work side-by-side to make a better world for men and boys, and women and girls.
Check out posters for International Men’s Day here.
Lovework
International Men’s Day is happening on Thursday, 19 November 2026. Check out the things to do page. Ask your workplace to celebrate International Men’s Day or create your own celebration with a few friends. You could do something bigger and give some awards out, or reach out to other organisations to help you. Big or small, it will be wonderful. We all need encouragement.
Yours for encouraging men,
Warwick Marsh
P.S. Greatly appreciate your continued partnership and support to keep promoting International Men’s Day to help men and boys. All donations are tax-deductible. Donate Here!
Image via Adobe. Republished thanks to Dads4Kids.
ODM Daily Commentary
Let’s be honest: men and boys are falling behind. They are dying younger, committing suicide at higher rates, dropping out of university, and underperforming in school. And yet, when we try to talk about it, we are told that men have all the power. That is a lie. And International Men’s Day exists to tell the truth.
The article from Dads4Kids celebrates the global reach of International Men’s Day. What started with Jerome Teelucksingh in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999 has grown to over 110 countries, thanks in large part to the tireless work of Dads4Kids. They created the logo, built the website, and synchronised the dates. They poured their heart, soul, and finances into the promotion. And it has paid off.
The statistics are alarming. Men live five years less than women. Male suicide rates are three times higher. Men experience higher rates of homicide and workplace death. Men are less likely to graduate from university. Boys underperform girls educationally across much of the world. These are not trivial issues. They are a crisis.
The theme for IMD 2026 is “The Future is Everyone.” It is an inclusive vision. We all need a future where men and women, boys and girls, can all succeed and flourish. As Lisa Britton said, “Since the dawn of time, men and women have worked together, not only to survive but to thrive.” The future is not only female. It is for everyone.
The article calls on men and women to work together. To reverse the gender war. To build better relations between men and women all over the world. To make a better world for men and boys, and women and girls.
So here is the challenge: celebrate International Men’s Day on 19 November 2026. Ask your workplace to get involved. Create your own celebration. Give awards. Reach out to others. Big or small, it matters. Because men and boys need encouragement. And the future is everyone.
Men and boys are falling behind. International Men’s Day is a chance to change that. The future is everyone.
Keywords: International Men’s Day, IMD 2026, The Future is Everyone, Dads4Kids, Warwick Marsh, Jerome Teelucksingh, David Maywald, The Relentless War on Masculinity, Lisa Britton, men’s health, male suicide, homicide rates, workplace deaths, university graduation, educational underperformance, gender relations, gender equality, fatherhood, dads, sons, boys, men, November 19, 110 countries, world changers
