Onassis Sexuality Education Day

Welcome Speeches

Sexuality Education, a global demand

We map the context regarding Sexuality Education and Sexual Health at European level, based on existing research and contemporary case studies about the successful inclusion of sexual health and sexuality education in the curriculum. The speakers present their views in 10-minute talks.

Speakers
Dr. Pedro Nobre: President of the World Association for Sexual Health
Dr. Osmo Kontula: Research Professor, the Population Research Institute, Family Federation of Finland; Chair of the Education Committee in the World Association for Sexual Health
Prof. James O’Higgins Norman: Director of the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre (ABC) - Dublin City University - UNESCO Chair on Tackling Bullying in Schools and Cyberspace

Sexuality Education in Greece

What are the current practices at national level? Specific case studies are presented in the Discussion, regarding the issue of sexuality and health education, in 10-minute talks.


Speakers
Gabriel Sakellaridis: Greece country Director of Amnesty International
Mary Chioni: Director of Health Education at the Α’ Administration for Secondary Education in Athens, Scientific Associate to the "Rainbow School" and "Orlando LGBT+ mental health beyond the stigma"
Margarita Gerouki: Former Education Adviser, Author of educational material about Sexuality Education; Winner of the Award for Excellence and Innovation in Sexuality Education 2019, World Association for Sexual Health, for the development of educational material
Ilias Gotsis: Sociologist – Family Therapist and Scientific Officer of the Educational Programs of the Organization Against Drugs (ΟΚΑΝΑ)

Round Table Discussion

The discussion has the form of a round table among major organizations regarding the issue of sexuality education and sexual health, aiming to set the basis for further actions in the future.


Speakers
Yannos Livanos: President of the Center of Social Welfare of Athens
Giannis Papagiannopoulos: CEO in Homo Evolution and Founding Member of Athens Pride
Kostis Chatzimorakis: Executive Director of the Centre for Life (NGO since 1991, supporting people living with HIV / AIDS, their families and companions)
Elena Skarpidou: Teacher in Secondary Education and Member of the NGO “Rainbow School”; Coordinator of Sexual Education Groups for Adolescents
Dr. Nancy Papathanasiou: Scientific Director Orlando LGBT+, Adjunct Lecturer, Panteion University & University of West Attica
Liza Tsaliki: Associate Professor at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Costas Gotzamanis: Psychiatrist and Director of the Center “Topos Psychotherapeias”, author of the textbook by the Ministry of Education "Sexuality Education-Gender Relationships" for high-school teachers and students

Live Streaming of the play "Tom in Greece (Tom à la Ferme)" by Michel Marc Bouchard from the Onassis Stegi Upper Stage

Sexuality Education aims to develop and strengthen the ability of children and young people to make conscious, satisfying, healthy and respectful choices regarding relationships, sexuality and emotional and physical health. Sexuality education does not encourage children and young people to have sex.

Learning about the cognitive emotional, social, interactive and physical aspects of sexuality. Sexuality education starts early in childhood and progresses through adolescence and adulthood. For children and young people, it aims at supporting and protecting sexual development.

It gradually equips and empowers children and young people with information, skills and positive values to understand and enjoy their sexuality, have safe and fulfilling relationships and take responsibility for their own and other people’s sexual health and well-being. Good quality sexuality education has a positive impact on attitudes and values and can even out the power dynamics in intimate relationships, thus contributing to the prevention of abuse and fostering mutually respectful and consensual partnerships. Good quality sexuality education has a positive impact on attitudes and values and can even out the power dynamics in intimate relationships, thus contributing to the prevention of abuse and fostering mutually respectful and consensual partnerships.