IMD INAUGURATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND - 2010
Northen Ireland can lay claim to the first official civic gathering of people for International Men's Day in Ireland.
Deputy Mayor of Newry and Mourne Council, Cllr Karen Mc Kevitt launched the Magnet Young Men’s Health Event,’ on Friday 19 November 2010. The event which was attended by men from across the district and representatives from local statutory, voluntary and community organisations was organised to celebrate the 19 November as International Men’s Day.
The celebration was organised by the Magnet Centre’s Young Men’s project, ‘Goodfellas,’ working in Partnership with The Southern Health & Social Care Trust, the Department for Social Development’s Neighbourhood Renewal Programme and Newry & Mourne Council through the Southern Closing The Gap initiative.
Deputy Mayor, Cllr Mc Kevitt said, ‘It is a great idea to give an issue that has an international perspective a local focus. All men need to look after their health and take advantage of the services and help that is out there, as we all do. But it is particularly good to see an event that looks at the barriers that young men may be facing and brings together people from all organisations across the district to look at what can be done to work together to make things better.’
The event ran from 1.00pm – 7.00pm offering opportunities for men to have health checks with experienced staff from Action Cancer. While speakers such as Dr. Ken Harland (University of Ulster’s Centre of Young Men’s studies), Peter Mc Donald, a senior child care worker from Giggles Daycare nursery, and local athlete Ronan Murtagh shared their own insight into the choices young men make and the opportunities that are out there for young men today.
Also in attendance was Jerome Burns, Assistant Director, Department for Social Development. Jerome stated, ‘The department for Social Development is delighted to support local initiatives that work with young men to highlight inequalities in health.’
For details of further events or information on Young Men’s or Men’s health projects contact Martin Murtagh Goodfellas Project Magnet Centre 028 30269070.
| 
