Letter to the U.N.

[Gany]

[sent 30/11/08]

Dear Madam or Sir,

I am writing to request any information about the United Nation's
involvement or support for International Men's Day, which was
apparently initiated in 1999 by Mikhail Gorbachev and was supported by
the United Nations in Vienna.

I am researching the beginnings and evolution of this 'international'
day, and am attempting to compile a factual file of information about
the day which can be published online as a resource folder. In my
country of Australia IMD has been celebrated since 2003, and it would
be helpful to highlight the perspective of the U.N. toward this
event.

I note in a media release from Trinidad and Tobago 2002 the following
reference is made to your UN organization: 'Speaking on behalf of
UNESCO, Ms. Ingeborg Breines, Director of Women and Culture of Peace,
said: “This is an excellent idea and would give some gender balance.”
She added that her organization was looking forward to cooperating
with the organizers of the IMD.'

Can you confirm this or elaborate any other UN support or involvement
in International Men's Day since 1999, and provide any official
documentation confirming such UN involvement?

In your reply it would be helpful if you could note permission (or
not) to publicly use any information you send.

Thank you, kind regards

J*******