Let’s Talk About Sex — France & Portugal – European Youth Centre Břeclav

ERASMUS+, Key Action 1: training course

Dates & venues:

1. training course: Cornus, France, 20—28 September 2023
2. training course: Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal, 22—29 October 2023

Czech team: 3 participants

Please read the project results in this fantastic Padlet: https://padlet.com/formateursces/let-s-talk-about-sex-y5i6e2dx62ys4u19/wish/2853121810

1st TC report (Cornus, France, 20—28 September 2023):

The “Let’s talk about sex” project took place at the end of September 2023 in the picturesque French village of Cornus in the south of France. Its goal was to engage us in various activities to encourage shared discussions and thoughts on how to improve not only sex education. Thanks to the participation of teams from France, Spain, the Azores, Bulgaria, Estonia and the Czech Republic, we had plenty of opportunities to learn about what sexual education looks like in other countries.

As this training course was primarily designed for youth educators, we also integrated pedagogical reflection into informal activities, providing a chance to apply new knowledge to our own teaching. Through theater techniques, we were able to explore various ways of consent and rejection, and through discussion circles, we could discover the opinions of other participants on gender and feminism issues. The highlight was our visit to the town of Lodève, where we interviewed visitors at the Saturday farmer’s market.

I’m glad that we, along with other participants, had the opportunity to take part in this enriching program, and I hope that its second part, taking place in the Azores, will be just as fantastic!

Veronika

Report from the 2nd training course, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal, 22—29 October 2023

The “LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX!” Project, held in Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal from October 22nd to 29th, 2023, aimed to address the evolving landscape of sexuality, gender, and sexual education. In an era of increasing connectivity, it has become crucial to equip youth workers with the tools and knowledge to navigate these complex and critical issues.

Introduction: In today’s digital age, young people and adults are exposed to a vast array of online content related to sexuality, influencing the behavior of young individuals. This exposure has led to issues such as cyberbullying, revenge porn, and sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, there is growing opposition to equal gender and sexual rights. In response to these challenges, the “LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX!” project sought to empower youth workers to approach sex education inclusively and openly, challenging stereotypes and promoting healthy discussions about gender and sexuality.

The project had several key objectives:

Develop knowledge of gender and sexuality concepts and their historical context.
Enhance participants’ ability to engage in discussions on sexuality and gender as youth workers.
Create practical educational tools and a toolkit addressing gender and sexuality.
Exchange best practices among participants.
Foster a network of European peers working in sexual and gender education for future collaborations.

The training relied on non-formal education methods and tools to ensure active participation. Experiential learning was a central component, and theoretical content was delivered through participative methods. Various methodologies were employed to foster participatory learning, such as fish-bowl discussions and moving debates. The training plan remained adaptable to meet participants’ evolving needs.

The training spanned six days and included activities such as introductions, discussions about stereotypes, exploration of the history of sexuality, and the creation of “books” for the Human Library. Activities also included examinations of taboo topics, gender inequalities, and intersectionality. The program ended with reflection groups and a gender movie festival.

The “LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX!” project was a timely initiative that empowered youth workers to navigate the complex landscape of gender and sexuality. It fostered inclusivity, challenged stereotypes, and promoted productive discussions. This project not only equipped youth workers but also contributed to the development of a network of peers in sexual and gender education, encouraging future collaborations in the field. Ultimately, it aimed to create a more equitable and inclusive world, where young people can explore their identities and engage in respectful and informed discussions about sex and gender. The project made a lasting impact on all participants, paving the way for a more open and accepting society.

Lukáš