[Reader-list] reader-list Digest, Vol 35, Issue 24

[Shilpa Phadke]

Please circulate widely. Sorry for cross-posting.

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The South and Southeast Asia Resource Centre on Sexuality


Applied Study Program on Sexual Diversity


About the Centre


The South and Southeast Asia Resource Centre on Sexuality aims to increase
knowledge and scholarship on issues of sexuality, sexual health and sexual
well being in this region. The Resource Centre specifically focuses on
sexuality related work in China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, The Philippines, and Vietnam. A regional Advisory Committee
provides inputs on country specific needs. Similar centres are located in
Africa, Latin America, and the United States. The Centre serves as a space
for activists, advocates, practitioners, and researchers, to better
understand, examine, and expand upon the complex issues surrounding debates
on sexuality.

Goals

The goals of the Resource Centre are to:

  a.. Develop and build on the scholarship and capacity in the field of
sexuality in the South and Southeast Asian region with a view to transform
theory into practice.
  b.. Enhance the conceptual understanding of the fields of sexuality,
gender, and rights and of their inter-linkages with socio-cultural issues in
the South and Southeast Asian region.
  c.. Increase and consolidate the knowledge base and resources available on
issues of sexuality and sexual well-being in the South and Southeast Asian
region.


Applied Study Program on Sexual Diversity: Aug 23 - Sept 19, 2006



What is it?



The Applied Study Program focuses on the practical implications of working
on issues of sexuality using a rights affirming approach. Through this
program participants are exposed to a variety of rights-based strategies
used by organisations that work on sexuality. This year, the four-week long
program is on issues of Sexual Diversity, primarily focusing on issues of
men who have sex with men (MSM) and on transgender issues. It will host 5
participants from different countries in the South and Southeast Asia
region. The programme will be in English. The Resource Centre will meet
costs of participants' travel, boarding, and lodging.



Where is it?



The Applied Study Programme on Sexual Diversity will be conducted in
Surabaya, Indonesia in collaboration with The GAYa NUSANTARA Foundation from
August 23 to September 19, 2006. GAYa NUSANTARA is a pioneering organisation
in Indonesia that provides HIV/AIDS counselling; community outreach and gay
awareness workshops, sexual health services program, integrating physical,
psychological and social aspects; and engages in advocacy for sexual rig
hts. GAYa NUSANTARA coordinates the Indonesian lesbian and gay network,
consisting of lesbian and gay organizations and individual activists
throughout the nation. Many of the organizations in the network comprise
also of transgendered people (warias) and lesbians.



Who can apply?



Participants will be selected from amongst those placed at a middle level in
their organisations, who have prior experience and interest in working on
issues of sexual diversity. Individuals working on MSM and/or Transgender
issues are strongly encouraged to apply. Participants will be selected
through a selection/nomination process after they complete the application
process.



What will participants do in this program?



The Applied Study Program will be a combination of work and study.
Participants will work in GAYa NUSANTARA under the guidance and supervision
of two experienced mentors - Dede Oetomo and Chung To. Participants will be
paired with a member of the host organisation who will be their study
partner through the program and also familiarise them with the nuances of an
unfamiliar cultural context.



Participants will learn more about sexual diversity issues, including
advocacy for sexual rights. They will discuss and analyse strategies and
experiences in their own country contexts and will also meet other local
groups working on these issues. Participants will focus on strategies for
human rights advocacy (for groups marginalized on account of their
sexuality/gender) as well as political alliance building with other social
movements. The program content and process will be documented for
dissemination.



As a result of this program, we hope participants will build their capacity
as activists, advocates, and practitioners, to further develop and improve
upon the work they are doing and share country-level experiences and
strategies across the region. Depending on the participants' background,
interests, and expertise, they will be expected to contribute to GAYa
NUSANTARA's as well as the Resource Centre's activities by holding seminars
on their topics of interest, acting as resource persons, developing articles
for publication, and so on.









Contact Us



The South and Southeast Asia Resource Centre on Sexuality
TARSHI (Talking About Reproductive and Sexual Health Issues)

11 Mathura Road, First Floor

Jangpura B, New Delhi, 110014, India.

Phone:  91-11-24379070, 24379071

Fax:  91-11-24374022

Email:  resourcecentre at tarshi.net

Website : www.asiasrc.org





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Arpita Das

Programme Associate

The South and Southeast Asia Resource Centre on Sexuality

Hosted by TARSHI

11 Mathura Road, 1st Floor,

Jangpura B,

New Delhi-110014, India.

Phone: 91-11-24379070, 24379071

Email: arpita at tarshi.net

Website: www.asiasrc.org