European Modules for trainer training - Sex/sexuality education

Sex/sexuality education – Personal development, prevention of discrimination and violence 2013/2014 (SEXEDU)

This European training course for trainers will be organised by the Pestalozzi Programme of the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Council of Europe Programme “Building a Europe for and with children” and in the context of the Council of Europe’s ONE in FIVE Campaign to stop sexual violence against children.

Context

Attitudes and behavior related to sex, sexuality and other sexual aspects of the life of each individual have impact on the right to human dignity, self-determination and personal development and thereby include individual legal responsibilities. Parents, carers, professionals working with children, including teachers and educators, peers as well as the media (broadcast and published) and the Internet, influence the nature of our sexual behaviour. Too often sex education does not address the full picture of respect and human dignity, sexual orientation and gender identity, autonomy, self-reliance, consent, social relations, friendship and love. Sex or sexuality education currently offered in many school curricula is often limited to learning about health issues including reproduction, protection from sexually transmitted infections and prevention of early pregnancy. How every teacher/ educator can contribute to empowerment and a healthy affirmative and responsible attitude to the sexual aspects of our lives is the focus of this training course for trainers. It will take account of the need to teach to different age groups and it will focus on aspects such as sex education in relation to well-being, diversity, freedom of expression, participation and association and prevention of sexual violence and abuse and it will develop materials appropriate for and adapted to the different age groups. This work will feed constructively into the Council of Europe ONE in FIVE Campaign to stop sexual violence against children. The ultimate goal is to encourage sustainable change for a positive impact on the well-being of children and young people.