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 | Keynote: Dr Helena Kim (Judge Business School) and Jason Mellad (Health Tech Entrepreneur) What's a Man?

“Redefining Strength – Wellbeing, Inclusion & Allyship”

A thought-provoking talk on modern masculinity, mental health, and shared responsibility for equality.

Panel 1 – 10:20 – 10:55 | 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 | Edye Hoffmann, Founder, Dementia Compass - Dementia

“Health Without Stigma – Changing the Conversation on Dementia for Everyone”

• How men and women differ in recognising and addressing health concerns.
• Preventive care, early intervention, and workplace wellbeing initiatives.
• Encouraging peer support and family engagement.

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”

"This House believes that men are punished for removing the mask of masculinity – but emotional vulnerability is their greatest act of strength."

• A panel of 3 men V 3 women explore how each perspective views the different topics.
• Energetic “flip the script” moment: halfway through, speakers argue from the opposite perspective.

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.