New approaches in sexuality education – including a special focus on the role of Europe
International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education: from framework to action. The International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education (International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education, 2009, 2 volumes), developed by UNESCO together with UNAIDS Cosponsors particularly UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF and the UNAIDS Secretariat, can be instrumental in strengthening sexuality education (SE) in educational institutions. While the ITGSE establishes norms and standards for quality SE and provides a solid framework, support has been required in many countries for the implementation of the Guidance.
For UNESCO, support has focussed on the four major steps for moving from framework to action: advocacy & building stakeholder engagement; planning for implementation including policy, curriculum and teacher training; partnerships and resource mobilisation; and, monitoring and evaluation of sexuality education. With a focus on building on existing approaches such as Life Skills education, UNESCO has begun working in a range of countries to engage with this Guidance, to develop evidence on the cost-effectiveness of sexuality education and to support countries in the different stages of implementation as is appropriate. As each country and its approach to sexuality education is diverse, so is the response to analyse and strengthen this important component must be diverse – there is not a standard approach to implementing this global framework. This presentation will offer some perspectives on supporting national level engagement with sexuality education in countries from different regions around the world highlighting critical steps in advocacy, planning, partnership and monitoring.
