Event
Mini-Symposium: Research and Evidence on CSE: What Next?
In 2020, UNESCO committed to outlining the current knowledge base and identifying major research needs and evidence gaps in comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) to support a stronger, needs-based evidence base for policy and programming. This led to the publication of the , which informed two major research studies initiated by the Section of Health and Education in 2022.
One study focuses on exploring learner- and school-level outcomes of sexuality education related to the knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, and skills that contribute to healthy interpersonal relationships; and documenting the national and school-level context, including the programmatic inputs and mechanisms that shape the implementation of sexuality education in study sites, and their implications for achieving outcomes. The countries covered are: Argentina, Armenia, Jamaica, Laos, Namibia, and Nigeria.
The other study investigates adolescent and young people’s perspectives on school-based sexuality education through a global survey and documents five country case studies: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Kyrgyzstan, and Trinidad & Tobago. It aims to fill the evidence gap regarding young people's perceptions and satisfaction with school-based sexuality education.
UNESCO is convening a group of experts and academics in comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) to review and validate the findings and recommendations from these two studies at a mini-symposium. This mini-symposium will also contribute to a forward-looking research priorities on CSE.
Objectives
- Discuss and validate preliminary findings from the two multi-country CSE studies commissioned by UNESCO.
- Map partners’ research plans and propose research priorities on CSE.
Outputs
- A 2-page summary report with forward-looking recommendations on CSE research.
Participants
The mini-symposium will include research consultants, research advisory groups, UNESCO Chairs, UN partners, and select bilateral agencies. Internal participants from UNESCO's Section of Health and Education and regional CSE research colleagues will also attend.
Draft Agenda: 1.5 Days
Monday, 7 October 2024
- Morning: Presentation & validation of findings from the CSE outcomes and youth perspectives studies.
- Afternoon: Presentation on ongoing work to roll-out and and their use for the CSE evidence base. Discussion on recommendations from the 2022 technical brief and mapping of forthcoming research initiatives.
Tuesday, 8 October 2024
- Morning: Challenges and limitations of CSE research. Prioritizing future research and integrating findings into programming as well as advocacy.