Michael Kaufman

For too long we were told it was a battle of the sexes. For too long bringing equality between women and men to our workplaces, homes and communities seemed like a zero-sum game, with women winning and men losing. Even if this were true, supporting equality would be the right thing to do. But Michael Kaufman’s work with corporations, governments, the UN, and NGOs over the past thirty-five years has shown this just isn’t true—if we learn to manage it right. This talk, full of Michael’s celebrated stories and humour, shows what men will gain by supporting equality. It shows the advantages that come to businesses and public institutions that embrace gender equality. It looks at the importance of corporate responsibility and leadership on issues ranging from ending violence against women to supporting the social and workplace changes that allow women and men to find work-life balance and to support the new parenting roles that men are playing. It’s a fun and positive look of our own ideals of manhood that will give practical tools to leaders to bring into their own corporations…and lives.

Let’s get beyond the misunderstandings, simplistic rules, and rigid categories. This talk creates a positive environment where men can drop any defensiveness and work alongside women to learn about the costs of sexual and other forms of harassment for the workplace and for individual women and men. Most importantly, it helps us all learn to identify the problem, in particular, the subtle forms of harassment, and find practical ways to prevent harassment or respond in productive ways if it does take place.

Far too many women face physical, sexual, and emotional violence. This talk, drawing on Michael Kaufman’s pioneering work around the world with the United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations, and his role as co-founder of the White Ribbon Campaign, looks at the surprising reasons why this is a key issue for businesses and unions alike.  It also analyzes the root causes of this violence and charts an optimistic pathway for women and men to work together to end the violence.

Our campuses have a big problem. But the truth is that most men want good relationships (whether it’s for one-night or the rest of your life.) Campus men want the women we care about to feel safe. This talk, full of stories, humor, and packed with information, looks at the root causes of dating violence. It challenges stereotypes and the actions of some men, but does not dump on guys. It gives clear information about consent. It deals with serious issues, but it’s fun and very positive. It gets to the heart and soul (and, yes, other things) of how to build relationships that will make you feel good. A real crowd pleaser. The New Fatherhood is About to Change the World We’re at the beginning of a change that will do for men what feminism did for women: that is, the full-scale redefinition of fatherhood and men as caregivers. This talk, full of wonderful stories and analysis from across the country and around the world, looks at where we’ve come from, where we’re going and, most importantly, how we’re going to get there to the benefit of us all.  Michael can provide customized workshops or training on any of the presentations above.

We’re at the beginning of a change that will do for men what feminism did for women: that is, the full-scale redefinition of fatherhood and men as caregivers. This talk, full of wonderful stories and analysis from across the country and around the world, looks at where we’ve come from, where we’re going and, most importantly, how we’re going to get there to the benefit of us all.  Michael can provide customized workshops or training on any of the presentations above.