With more than a billion people, a relatively rapid population growth, and a growing dilemma related to sexually transmitted infections (STIs - particularly AIDS), the need for effective sexuality education and expanding understanding of sexual health practices in India is self-evident.  Despite a historical heritage of respecting the naturalness of sexuality and viewing healthy sexual expression as a source of heightened spiritual attainment, modern India confronts the legacy of its sexually repressive colonial era as sexual ignorance and mythology take an ever increasing toll on its people. As a result, AIDS is growing into a national catastrophe and problems that result from a lack of sexual knowledge are rampant.  For example, there are cases of married couples who are infertile because they literally do not know the basic mechanics of reproduction - that is, how you make a baby or have sexual intercourse!  Contemporaneously, the principals and practices of family planning and contraception are a mystery to a vast portion of the population.  Just as importantly, the lack of basic information on safer sex is placing large portions of the population at significant risk.

A significant and powerful antidote to this situation is increased sexuality education both in schools, colleges and universities and through the enhancements provided by modern communication media, including the Internet. The time is right, to bring together a world renowned group of international experts in collaboration with eminent Indian colleagues in human sexuality to provide the most up-to-date and comprehensive lifespan sexuality education course for professionals ever convened.  Through attendance at this conference, participants will emerge with newly acquired knowledge, skills and tools for informing and educating their clients, patients and students, as well as new levels of comfort in dealing with issues vital, not only to physical health, but to personal happiness and family harmony.

Not unlike the United States, it is clear that most adults in India and Asia have received little if any research-based sexuality education. This includes most of the professionals who interact with clients coming to them for services that relate in some way to their sexual lives - whether it is regarding health, family, education, law, spirituality, or their general well-being – and upon whom the public tends to rely.  Since these professionals lack pertinent information and training, they are generally uncomfortable discussing or raising the subject of sexuality; even in the event that they are comfortable, it is highly likely that they will transmit incorrect or inadequate information since that is all they possess.  It is our expectation that this Congress will serve as a substantial step towards remedying this unfortunate and dangerous situation.