Ongoing Asia-Pacific Initiatives

With the Asia-Pacific region being one of the most affected by climate change, it has been spotlighted as a point of regional interest and engagement. As a response to this situation, Special Interest Groups, or SIGs, were initiated to systematise idea-to-impact. For the month of April, the SIG for Planetary Health will work to promote and exchange ideas through online campaigns, webinars, and capacity building sessions.

According to the WHO, “health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Mental health is thus as important as ever as we strive to live not just a longer life, but also a healthier and happier one. The Special Interest Group for Mental Health hopes to tackle Mental Health issues from a multitude of perspectives, including those of healthcare professionals, medical students, and vulnerable populations. We hope to achieve this through infographics, webinars, and capacity building sessions.

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is a curriculum-based process of teaching and learning about the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social aspects of sexuality. It aims to equip children and young people with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that will empower them. To address CSE in AP, multiple initiatives were taken by the SIG coordinators and members which includes an open space, two capacity building sessions, a webinar and multiple infographics series focusing on contents related to CSE.