ADDRESSING THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION IN ITALY

Many countries lack the systematic implementation of age-appropriate and culturally relevant Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in schools and comprehensive teacher training programs, even if CSE is widely recognized as a fundamental human right. In Italy, teacher training is typically available only through voluntary courses outside the academic context, which often come at a high cost, making them inaccessible to many. CSE views sexuality, in its broadest sense, as a fundamental aspect of human life that evolves from early childhood. A lifelong learning process is required to address a wide range of topics, which can be categorized into several macro areas: sexual health, sexual identity, and its development, rights, the LGBTQIA+ community, emotions and relationships, intimacy, and sexual behaviors (private, public, healthy, and risky), consent, respect, and gender-based violence, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, sexual development, sexual pleasure, stereotypes, socio-cultural and personal influences, and educational planning for different age groups. For these reasons, the UNI-T project – a collaborative effort initiated in 2022 within the network of European universities CIVIS alliance, aimed at enhancing teacher education across Europe through innovative, international, and practical approaches – introduced the blended learning course Sexuality Education Training for Teachers and Educators (SETTE). The course aims to raise teachers’ awareness of educational needs, helping them recognize how their own beliefs influence the messages they convey to students. Its goal is to create safer, healthier school environments where students can express their sexuality openly and respectfully. The course focuses on improving knowledge of CSE, developing educational skills, promoting positive and respectful attitudes, and fostering critical reflection. The course is considered complete after participants successfully finish two assessments: the evaluation of all modules’ training and a final questionnaire.