To the garbagemen who remove our rubbish in the wee hours; the men who construct our buildings and repair our roads; the security guards and policemen who keep us safe; the miners and loggers who risk their lives to help build our world; the long-distance truckers who keep the economy turning; the volunteer firefighters who save lives and property when nature challenges us; the hands-on dads who make such a difference in their children’s lives; the elderly men who care for their wives when their health deteriorates; the teenage boys and young men who astound us with their wonderful risk-taking and testosterone-fuelled energy; the separated dads who fight to see their children; the male childcare workers who show us by example that working with young children is a proper place for men – thank you for all that you do to make the world a better place.

The 2013 IMD annual theme is

Keeping Men and Boys Safe

The five challenges for 2013:

• Tackling male suicide

• Keeping men and boys safe to allow them to become tomorrows role models

• End tolerance of violence towards men and boys

• Boost men’s life expectancy by keeping men and boys safe from avoidable illness

• Keeping men and boys safe by promoting fathers and male role models

Click here to download the official press release and briefing document with further information on the 2013 theme.

Source: International Men's Day Global Website (http://www.imd-global.org)