I. Background

The problems of STIs, HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancy have called more attention of researchers and program planners to sexuality and sexual health issues. The contributions of the Plan of Action signed in ICPD in 1994 and the Action Platform signed in the Women Conference in 1995, which recognize and promote sexual rights as one of the basic human rights, have been very important in supporting and legitimazing this research attention . However, these are sensitive issues and even taboos in the Vietnam context. Many sexuality education programs in schools and in communities focus mainly on teaching biological facts and neglect the roles of gender inequity and social norms as main causes of health problems. In many cases, a major portion or even the whole content of sexuality education is removed from sexual and reproductive health programs with the reason given that they are 'not necessary' or 'not cultural relevant'. Many individuals and couples enter their sexual life without proper understanding of sex and sexuality. Homosexuals, sex workers and those persons engaging in premarital sex face severe stigma and discrimination.

What makes this situation more worrying is that research undertaken for improving sexuality and sexual health programs is limited. So far, little research has been conducted in this field. Research findings are often descriptive and lack innovations. Many potentially fruitful areas in sexuality and sexual health are under-researched. Researchers face difficulties in developing relevant conceptual frameworks for their research and are not skilled in communicating research findings to decision makers, program people and even to their peers. This results in a fragmentation of knowledge within the field. Even when good research is undertaken, many other in the field are not aware of it. In addition, difficulties in obtaining approval for sexuality research and intervention are significant challenges.

A major concern is the commitment and funding policies for sexuality research and interventions in this time of an expanding HIV/AIDS epidemic. While HIV/AIDS has certainly opened the door for more research and programs on sexuality and sexual health, the dominance of behavioral paradigms restrict funding for sexuality research and interventions that fall outside the narrowly defined terrain of HIV/AIDS and outside of mainstream approaches

In this context, the ENCOURAGES project, which is executed by the Consultation of Investment in Health Promotion (CIHP) will arrange forum titled "Mapping sexuality and sexual health research and programs in Vietnam". The forum will serve as a space for program designers, implementers and researchers to discuss and learn about the current status, gaps and challenges of sexuality and sexual health research and programs in the country. Moreover, the forum will also helps donors better understand the issues in Vietnam, thus better strategizing and maximizing the impact of their support.

Results of this forum will be documented and communicated to relevant Vietnam agencies, donors, researchers, and program planners and implementers.

II. Objectives:

· To take stock of sexuality and sexual health research and programs in Vietnam

· To identify challenges and gaps in sexuality and sexual health research and programms in Vietnam

To discuss strategies and actions to make sexuality and sexual health more prominent in the existing research and program agenda

III. Organization:

· Host: Consultation of Investment in Health Promotion (CIHP)

· Donor: Rockefeller Foundation

· Time: 18- 19 April, 2006

· Venue: Hanoi

IV. Main themes

1. Understanding sexuality and sexual health

Participants will discuss:

• How do people understand sexuality and sexual health? How do the sexuality and sexual health vary in different contexts and localities?
• What are there differences in concepts of sexuality and sexual health that have been used in existing research and programs in Vietnam?
• Why are some understandings of sexual health and sexuality privileged over others?

2. Promoting sexuality and sexual health research and program: challenges and opportunities: Under this theme, participants will discuss:

• Terminology
• Identiying relevant research questions
• Cultural and insutional barriers to research and programming
• Target groups
• Ethical issues

3. Advocacy for sexuality and sexual health research and programs: meeting the needs of/dialogues with policy makers: Under this theme, participants will discuss:

• What are the roles of civil society?
• Researchers and advocacy?
• How to promote a productive dialogue between civil society and donors; Civil society and people; and researchers and civil society

4. Roles and responsibilities of donors

Under this theme, participants will discuss:

• Which topics are easier for them to fund? Which are more difficult? And why?
• What are the observed and potential impacts of increased attention to HIV/AIDS including influences of PEPFAR funding on policy and funding commitments?

V. Call for papers:

We invite interested individuals to submit papers for presentation and discussion in the forum. Submitted papers should follow the guide for paper subsmssion provided below:

o Time for presentation: 15’

o Content: Papers should address one of four themes above. Authors should write clearly in the first page of the paper, which theme that the paper addresses Authors can choose a primary theme and a couple of other secondary ones to discuss in the paper. The paper can be a review of sexuality research or intervention programs. However, for the purpose of the discussion in the forum, the paper should not just list research findings, methodology, intervention activities or achievements. Rather, the review should be used to highlight key issues/gaps/opportunities related to the selected field. All papers should focus on analyzing challenges in undertaking sexuality research and intervention.

• Language: paper can be submitted in Vietnamese or in English or both. Selected papers will be translated to make sure that every presented paper will have both English and Vietnamese version.

o Structure:

- Abstract: not more than 200 words.

- Full text: not more than 3500 words

- PowerPoint presentation: to be submitted if paper is accepted.

o Deadline for abstract submission: 14 March, 2006

VI. Registration and scholarship

Please fill in the registration form and return to CIHP via fax, e-mail or post mail no later than 20 March 2006. Please note that registration is required for all participants. Scholarship is provided for selected participants from outside Hanoi. Priority will be given for participants with presented papers.

For further inquiry or presentation submission, please feel free to contact us:

The ENCOURAGES Project

Consultation of Investment in Health Promotion (CIHP)

108 A12 Alley 4/15 Phuong Mai, Hanoi, Vietnam

Tel: 844-5770261 Fax: 844-5770260

Email: encourages@cihp.org, Website: www.cihp.org