Press Releases

1 Aug 2019

The 7th Asian Conference on Sexuality Education to explore inclusive, relevant and comprehensive sexuality education

The 7th Asian Conference on Sexuality Education 2019 (ACSE 2019), themed “Challenges of Sexuality Education: Inclusion, Relevance, Comprehensiveness”, will take place on 18-19 October, 2019 (Fri - Sat) at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK). The organizers, The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK) and the Department of Special Education and Counselling of EdUHK sincerely invite academics, teachers, policy makers, sex educators, youths, parents and other stakeholders to attend the Conference and exchange expert knowledge, latest research, frontline experience and case studies, and to explore challenges and opportunities in a concerted effort to promote the development of sexuality education in Asia. 

The Conference theme of “Inclusion, Relevance, Comprehensiveness” encapsulates the concept and implementation strategies of “Comprehensive Sexuality Education” as presented in the latest edition of the International Technical Guideline on Sexuality Education released by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The concept echoes the core principle of “No Child Left Behind” in the Chinese Confucian philosophy. In modern language, it means that schools and the society should respect differences in students and provide equal opportunities for all to enjoy comprehensive and equitable quality sexuality education which caters to their individual growth needs, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic status, religion and sexual orientation, etc. Furthermore, in designing the content of sexuality education, the perspectives of human rights and inclusiveness should be adopted in addition to the health aspect, to meet the sexual development needs of vulnerable students in particular. 

In line with the main theme, Prof. Peter Aggleton, Emeritus Scientia Professor, Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Australia, has been invited to deliver a keynote speech on “Sexuality Education: trends, challenges, and possibilities for inclusive practice and research”. A sociologist and educationalist with a background in policy studies, international development, psychology and health, Prof. Aggleton has worked with national and international agencies for over 25 years in the fields of HIV/AIDS, sexuality and gender, sexual and reproductive health, etc. He has published over 250 scientific papers and chapters and has authored and edited more than 50 books. He is currently the editor-in-chief of three international journals: Culture, Health & Sexuality, Health Education Journal and Sex Education, and chief investigator on research projects funded by the Australian Research Council and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. 

The other keynote speaker, Ms. Hongyan Li, National Program Officer of UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office, will expound UNESCO’s “Framework of Comprehensive Sexuality Education: International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education (Revised Edition)”. Ms Li manages HIV/AIDS and school health programmes in China, promoting the International Technical Guideline on Sexuality Education and the development of comprehensive sexuality education. Her major disciplines are comprehensive sexuality education, gender-based violence and inclusive education. 

The two-day conference will also include three plenaries, a round-table discussion and various parallel group sessions / workshops and oral presentations, revolving around the themes of “Sexuality Education: Social Changes and Responsive Strategies”, “Sexual/Gender Diversity Education: Challenges and Opportunities”, “Sexuality Education for Students with Disabilities and Special Needs” and “Sexuality Education: Inclusion and Diversity”. The Conference will be conducted in Cantonese, Putonghua and English. 

Registration for the Conference is now open and will close by 17 August, 2019. For details on the programme, themes, registration method and fee etc., please refer to the attached Conference flyer or the Conference website at www.famplan.org.hk/acse2019/en. For enquiries, please call 2919-7734 or email acse2019@famplan.org.hk.

The 7th Asian Conference on Sexuality Education 2019 flyer