Feature Articles

The 5th Cross-Strait, Hong Kong and Macau Conference on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health 2017

Ref Number: 2017_5ASRHC

  • Date29 Dec 2017
  • Category Articles, Monthly Focus
  • Targets Educators Public
  • AuthorEducation Division, FPAHK
  • Topic Sexuality Education

After the past four Conferences on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health respectively held in Ningbo (Mainland China), Taipei (Taiwan), Hong Kong and Macau, the latest Conference had been successfully held in Chengdu, Sichuan this year. Ms Grace Lee, Education Manager of the Association, together with Education Officers Ms Keeley Chan and Ms Melody Tang joined the conference and shared the needs of youth and their experiences in delivering sexuality education.

 

China Family Planning Association (China FPA) was the organizer of this year. Themed “The Youth Health: Learn from Each Other, Connect with Each Other and Grow Together”, the conference was attended by over 250 policymakers, scholars, practitioners, staff and volunteers from different organizations and communities. Through sharing opinions and experience as well as exploring future direction together, participants gained a deeper understanding of sexuality education and latest adolescent sexual and reproductive health services being implemented in the four regions.

 

Ms Grace Lee, Education Manger, presented key findings of Youth Sexuality Study 2016 to demonstrate the needs of sexuality education for youth in Hong Kong; Ms Keeley Chan, Education Officer, shared the needs of the mentally challenged youth in the digital era and her experience in delivering sexuality education; Ms Melody Tang, another Education Officer introduced how to learn about making informed choices through playing the mobile app “Making Smart Choices” developed by the Association. In recent years, education on sexual and reproductive health in China has been developing rapidly; the service demand for a huge population is substantial. We are glad to see a lot of passionate educators are well-driven and working hard in this aspect. Colleagues of the Association were deeply inspired while interacting with the attendees.

 

“Youth Participation” is a vital element in promoting adolescent sexual and reproductive health. About 100 youth volunteers were recruited to attend 2 days training before the conference. Our Association’s youth volunteer Mr. Keith Choi also took part in the training and actively shared his experience in promoting peer sexuality education at a sharing session called “Night for the Youth”. This sharing session was dedicated for youth volunteers to demonstrate what they had learnt in the pre-conference training. Moreover, China FPA arranged a debate session named “Talk with the Youth” and provided a platform for sexuality educators and youth to interact with each other.

 

Apart from impressive speeches and forums, there was a variety of creative booths and performances, including condom making workshops, artwork displays, fun videos, poster presentations, dancing, demonstration of how to respond effectively against sexual harassment, etc.

 

The upcoming Conference would be held in Taiwan 2019, hopefully there would be more healthcare professionals, youth workers and educators from the Chinese speaking regions joining the conference and share their experience, expertise and research findings, so as to facilitate development of adolescent sexual and reproductive health in the four regions.

Group photos of guests and youth representativesEducation Manager Ms Grace Lee presenting souvenirs to presentatives from Cross-Strait and MacauConference VenueGroup photos of speakersExhibition boothsDrama: How to use a condomSharing by youth volunteersRepresentatives from HKFPA