International Men’s Day Conference 2025 Hosted by: We Are GLOBAL Women

Key Messages for Promotion

• “Championing balance, wellbeing, and shared impact – because progress belongs to us all.”
• “Join us to honour men’s contributions, advance inclusion, and co-create sustainable futures.”
• “Unity is our strength – let’s build a world where everyone thrives.”

09:30 – 09:45 | Welcome & Purpose

Fiona McGonigle – Founder, We Are GLOBAL Women & Business Engagement & Innovation Lead, ARU

• Opening remarks: why International Men’s Day matters in a network built for everyone.
• Setting the tone: celebrating men’s contributions while promoting balance, allyship, and wellbeing.

09:45 – 10:15 | Spotlight Speakers: Dr Jason Mellad (Health Tech Entrepreneur)and Dr Helena Kim (Judge Business School)

“Man Up – The Onus of Healthy Masculinity”

What does it mean to be a man in an age that’s redefining strength, vulnerability, and belonging?

In this thought-provoking and intimate dialogue, Dr Jason Mellad and Dr Helena Kim explore what healthy masculinity looks like today — unpacking identity, pressure, and purpose through three timeless archetypes:

• The Seeker — yearning for identity and growth
• The Builder — striving to create and flourish
• The Sage — learning to give and lead with wisdom and empathy

10:20 – 10:55 |Panel 1: Mental Health & Resilience: Breaking the Silence

• Exploring how men experience, express, and manage mental health compared to women.
• Destigmatising conversations, encouraging openness, and creating inclusive support systems.
  (Mix of male and female panellists + lived-experience voices)

10:55 – 11:15 | Refreshments & Connection Break

11:15 – 11:40 | Spotlight Speaker: Edye Hoffmann, Founder, Dementia Compass

“The Astronaut Protocol: What Space Missions Reveal About Dementia, Caring, and the Years Ahead”

• What do astronauts preparing for space missions have to do with dementia?

11:40 – 12:10 | Panel 3 – Sustainability & Legacy: "Change the World"

Chair: Professor Aled Jones- Director of The Global Sustainability Institute

• Our shared roles in advancing sustainability and climate action.
• Collaborative leadership for greener workplaces and communities.
• Spotlight on inspiring projects at ARU and beyond.

12:15 – 13:15 | The Unity Debate: “Strength Lies in Collaboration, Not Competition”

"Motion: “This House believes that true progress depends on collaboration, not competition — between genders, generations, and ideas.”

Two panels — 3 men vs. 3 women — will explore how allyship can drive wellbeing, equity, and environmental change.

Midway through, the debate will take an unexpected twist as speakers “flip the script” to argue from the opposite perspective — challenging bias, breaking stereotypes, and proving that unity really is our greatest strength.

13:15 – 13:30 | Closing Reflections & Call to Action

• Celebrating insights, pledging support for men’s health, inclusion, and sustainability.
• Invitation to continue the conversation through the We Are GLOBAL Women network

13:30 | Networking Lunch & Showcase - Incl. ARU Business Clinic

• Informal space to connect, spotlights of ARU research and community initiatives.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher ARU FBL