Abstract:
The ideas within this 5 minute presentation stem from researching the experiences of young Cook Islanders, who dream of new realities for sexuality and relationship education in their country. Generically developed resources developed by multi-national organisations influence sexuality education in the Pacific. Alongside these resources, little teacher professional development is offered and the resources are rarely contextualised to the local setting. I contest that the discourse of silence between youth and adults in the sexuality arena in the Pacific leads to a mismatch in what we think we provide to young people through sexuality education programmes (if they are done at all) and what young people say they think is necessary to learn. This paper shares the research that has captured the thoughts of Cook Islands youth as they critique the sexuality education they receive, saying that it is often neither relevant, nor meaningful. I will then share their alternative ideas for moving forward successfully.