--- title: Seven Ways to Mark International Men's Day on 19th November, From a Letter to Your Father to an Interview Suit description: International Men's Day is on Thursday 19th November 2026 and the theme is 'The Future Is Everyone'. Seven ways to mark it at work and at home. author: Dr Marina Nani (Editor-in-Chief) date: 2026-11-07T19:15:06.443Z updated: 2026-11-07T19:31:07.316Z canonical: https://www.richmanmagazine.com/article/international-mens-day-2026-seven-ways-to-mark-it image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/pexels-7322361.webp categories: Relationships, Lifestyle content_type: Guide region: United Kingdom publication: Rich Man Magazine schema_type: Article --- International Men's Day falls on Thursday 19th November, and this year's global theme is 'The Future Is Everyone'. The American writer Lisa Britton first proposed it six years ago. 'Rather than saying the future is female, I believe that the future is for everyone,' she said in the organisers' announcement in March. The day began in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999 under its founder, Dr Jerome Teelucksingh. The UK formally began marking it in 2010, across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and between 700 and 800 organisations took part here in 2025. 'When we have a good man in a family, the children benefit, and the world as well,' Dr Teelucksingh said in March. The day rests on six aims, which the organisers call pillars. The first is to promote positive male role models, 'not just movie stars and sports men but everyday, working class men who are living decent, honest lives.' The other five are to celebrate men's positive contributions to society, family, marriage, child care and the environment, to focus on men's health and wellbeing, to highlight discrimination against men and boys, to improve gender relations and promote gender equality and to create a safer, better world. The seven ideas below draw on the UK organisers' own suggestions. You do not need a big event to take part, and the organisers say activities can run in the week before or after the day itself. ## Write to the Man Who Shaped You Send a letter or a card to the man who taught you the most, whether he was your father, a grandfather, a teacher, a coach or your first boss. Name one thing he did and what it changed for you. A specific memory carries more weight than a general thank you, and a handwritten letter is one he is likely to keep. ## Nominate a Colleague for Recognition The UK organisers suggest workplace awards such as 'Dads of the Year', 'Community Man of the Year' and 'Male Employee of the Year'. If you run a team, choose a man whose work goes unnoticed: the colleague who trains every new starter, or the one who covers a late shift so a father can see the school play. Announce it on 19th November and say exactly what he did. ## Start a Male Staff Network If your company has no network for male staff, 19th November gives you a launch date. The organisers publish an Employer Guide with further ideas for workplaces. Keep the first meeting short and practical, with a lunch, one speaker and a sign-up sheet, and invite fathers, carers and the youngest men on the team. ## Pay for an Interview Suit One of the charity ideas on the UK organisers' list is funding interview suits for young men. If you have a good suit you no longer wear, or the means to buy one, ask a local charity that dresses jobseekers how to donate. Suits are [back in the office this autumn](https://www.richmanmagazine.com/article/mens-suits-autumn-2026-office-tailoring), which makes the gift practical as well as generous. ## Check In on a Friend The organisers' own messages include looking out for mates and reaching out to those who are struggling. Ring the friend you have not heard from since the summer and [suggest a walk or a pint](https://www.richmanmagazine.com/article/international-mens-day-how-dads-can-ask-for-help). If he has put off a check-up, our [Movember guide to seven health checks](https://www.richmanmagazine.com/article/movember-health-checks-jeremy-clarkson-chris-hoy) gives you an easy way to raise it. ## Go to an Event The UK organisers list these among the events registered for 2026: - Working Dads Summit, 11th November - TWANF Men's Conference, 14th November - ManKind Initiative Annual Conference, 17th November - In Conversation with Louis Theroux at King's College London, 18th November - Future Men Conference, 19th November If you organise your own, the organisers ask you to email them through the [UK International Men's Day website](https://ukmensday.org.uk/markimd2026/) so they can add it to their events page. ## Bring the Women in Your Life Into It The 2026 theme invites everyone to take part. The organisers suggest a 'World's Greatest Man' vote that includes women and girls, so ask your daughter, your partner or your colleagues to name the man they would choose and why. Warwick Marsh, co-founder of the Australian fathers' charity Dads4Kids, framed the day this way: 'Let's work together to make a better world for men and boys, and women and girls.' ## International Men's Day Questions **Q: Why do we celebrate International Men's Day?** International Men's Day recognises the positive contribution men and boys make to their families, communities and workplaces. Its six aims are to promote positive male role models, celebrate men's contributions, focus on men's health and wellbeing, highlight discrimination against men and boys, improve gender relations and promote gender equality and create a safer, better world. **Q: What do you do on International Men's Day?** People mark the day with talks, awards, charity fundraising, staff networks and school assemblies, or simply by sending a card or a message to an important man in their life. In the UK, events can take place in the week before or after 19th November as well as on the day. **Q: Is men's day March 19?** No. International Men's Day is held on 19th November every year. The day in March is International Women's Day, which falls on 8th March. **Q: When did men's day become a thing?** The modern International Men's Day began in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999, founded by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh. The UK formally began marking it in 2010, and it is now marked in around 80 countries.