Feature Articles

The 7th Asian Conference on Sexuality Education (ACSE7)

Ref Number: ESEAOR201911

  • Date1 Nov 2019
  • Category FPA Message
  • Targets Educators Social Workers
  • AuthorFPAHK
  • Topic Sexuality Education

The 7th Asian Conference on Sexuality Education (ACSE7) was held on the campus of The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) on 18-19 October 2019. Co-organized again by the Association and the Department of Special Education and Counselling of EdUHK, the Conference themed “Challenges of Sexuality Education: Inclusion, Relevance, Comprehensiveness” was attended by over 250 sexuality educators and youth workers from mainland China, Asia and Hong Kong.

In his opening address, Mr. Liu Ah-chuen, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of ACSE7 and the Association’s IEC Subcommittee, pointed out that “While sexuality education has made significant progress in Asia over the years, societal changes also raise many issues about respecting diversity and inclusiveness which need to be considered. This Conference provides a platform for scholars, teachers, policy makers, sexuality educators, parents, etc. to share expertise, exchange experiences and explore challenges.”

On Day 1 of the Conference, Dr. Sam Winter, Associate Professor and Head of Sexology Team, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Australia, a globally renowned expert with distinguished accomplishment in public health, delivered a Keynote Speech on “Sexuality Education in a World of Diversity”. On Day 2, Ms. Li Hong-yan, National Program Officer, UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office, who manages HIV/AIDS and school health programmes in China and promotes the International Technical Guideline on Sexuality Education and the development of comprehensive sexuality education, delivered a keynote speech on “Comprehensive Sexuality Education Framework: Applicability for Sexuality Educators”.

The Conference program comprised three plenary sessions, a roundtable discussion, 6 workshops, 34 oral presentations, 14 poster presentations, 11 booth exhibitions and the Association’s Mobile Classroom. There was active discussion and exchange among participants throughout the two days. At the Closing ceremony, a declaration was read out by youth participants: “We, the participants of the 7th Asian Conference on Sexuality Education, share the collective goal of promoting gender equity, sexual and reproductive health and rights in Asia; seeking through government leadership, decision-makers engagement and multi-sectoral cooperation, to advocate sexuality education strategies, implementation and development of evidence-based programs. While upholding the principle of respect for diverse cultures, we strive to further cooperation within our region, and to enhance the sexual and reproductive health of our fellow Asians.”