Institutional Annual Report
2009
International Association for the Study Sexuality, Culture and Society
International Association for the Study Sexuality, Culture and Society
IASSCS / Institutional Annual Report 2009
Board of Directors 2008-2009 > Carlos Cรกceres, Chair > Diane di Mauro, Vice-Chair > Evelyn Blackwood > Khuat Thu Hong > Huso Yi
Secretariat Office > Ruth Igui単iz, Executive Coordinator > Ximena Gutierrez, Administration Officer > Fernando Olivos, Communications/Advocacy Assistant > Joseph Botello, Accounting Assistant
IASSCS / Institutional Annual Report 2009
CONTENT Page 8
1.
Message from the Chair
Page 10
2.
Page 14
3.
Institutional Business
Recent Institutional Projects
> Institutional Background > Mission and Vision > Strategic Planning Objectives and Results
> Research and Research Capacity Strengthening Initiatives: a) IASSCS- LaTrobe Collaboration Committee b) 2009 Post- Conference Training > Research Dissemination Initiatives: a) Online Resources b) Culture Health and Sexuality c) IASSCS VII Conference
Page 22
Membership
4.
Page 24
Renewing the Board of Directors
5.
Page 26
6.
Financial Report and Membership Payments Procedures
IASSCS / Institutional Annual Report 2009
1. Message from the Chair ¨Planning for an expansion of the role of IASSCS in the field of sexuality worldwide, we have developed transparent and democratic governing structures and processes.¨ Carlos Cáceres, MD, PhD, Chair, Board 2008-2009
Chapter 1 > Message from the Chair > 9 - 10
Upon reaching our 12th anniversary and our VII Biennial Conference, the time has come to move forward and expand our range of activities and our presence in the sexuality field all over the world. We are pleased to present this first annual report, which describes the activities and progress of the International Association for the Study of Sexuality, Culture and Society – IASSCS during 2009. We are immensely proud of the processes that have consolidated our institution, which began in 2007, with the constitution of the Executive Transition Committee in Lima. Since then, we have developed the organizational infrastructure required to implement and achieve our objectives and mission resulting from the IASSCS Strategic Planning process. Planning for an expansion of the role of IASSCS in the field of sexuality worldwide, we have developed transparent and democratic governing structures and processes. This annual report is an expression of our commitment to transparency
and accountability to our members, partners and other stakeholders. As you will read in these pages, 2009 was a year in which IASSCS positioned its conference as academic and networking focal point in the sexuality field worldwide, consolidated its presence in Asia, increased its membership, and, most importantly, renewed its Board of Directors. It was a year in which we had the opportunity to welcome new members and create channels to ensure their participation and representation in IASSCS activities and governing decisions. It has been a busy and rewarding year, and on behalf of the Secretariat and Board of Directors, we want to thank all of you for supporting our work and contributing to our success. Carlos CĂĄceres, MD, PhD, Chair, Board 2008-2009 December 2009
IASSCS / Institutional Annual Report 2009
2. Institutional Business
In addition to the medical and public health approaches, IASSCS also incorporates social science, artistic, and advocacy perspectives from a human rights perspective.
Chapter 2 > Institutional Business > 11 - 12
Institutional Background The International Association for the Study of Sexuality, Culture and Society (IASSCS) was formed in July 1997 in Amsterdam following a successful conference entitled, “Beyond Boundaries: Sexuality across Cultures,� that was jointly hosted by the Universities of Amsterdam and Chicago. IASSCS was established with the commitment to build equity in research capacity worldwide and to develop a broad range of multidisciplinary research activities in the field of sexuality. IASSCS seeks to promote the study of sexual identity, desire and experience in specific social and cultural contexts, including the development of research capacity, and gives priority to the crucial diversity of this
area of inquiry. Its mission is informed by the principles of social justice and human rights, with a focus on sexual rights and gender equality, as expressed in documents such as the Cairo Programme of Action, CEDAW and the UNGASS Declaration on AIDS. Most established sexuality research centers focus on biomedical research, and few include pedagogic activities to foster research from a social science perspective. In addition to the medical and public health approaches, IASSCS also incorporates social science, artistic, and advocacy perspectives to promote research and understanding of not only diverse sexualities, but also gender, family planning and reproduction from a human rights perspective. Since July 2008, financial support from the Ford
IASSCS / Institutional Annual Report 2009
Our Vision The vision for IASSCS’s future is one of expansion of IASSCS’s role as a convener and a facilitator of regional and global networking for researchers focusing on socio-cultural issues of sexuality.
Foundation, which is administered and supported by the Instituto de Estudios en Salud, Sexualidad y Desarrollo Humano (IESSDEH), have allowed IASSCS to establish its Secretariat office in Lima and successfully develop internal organizational procedures to elect its governing bodies, expand its membership, and define its working committees in order to ensure institutional continuity. On August 18–20, 2008 the Executive Committee met in Lima to sign the IASSCS Constitution Act. At this time, its officials and governing bodies were appointed until the election process was put into place in 2009. Since then, IASSCS is a fiscally and legally independent international association that is based in Lima, Peru, registered under Peruvian law. This enables IASSCS to strengthen and provide continuity to its activities worldwide.
Our Mission IASSCS’ Mission is to strengthen the field of social and cultural sexuality research globally. IASSCS is committed to building equity in research capacity worldwide and to a broad range of research activities, including strengthening communication among researchers, policy makers, and activists. Our Vision The vision for IASSCS’s future is one of expansion of IASSCS’s role as a convener and a facilitator of regional and global networking for researchers focusing on socio-cultural issues of sexuality. Its interactive Website will be a global reference point for researchers and activists. The organization will expand its activities to strengthen research beyond the biennial global conferences, potentially including organizing regional meetings, smaller topical meetings, training seminars and interest groups, as well as providing mentoring
Chapter 2 > Institutional Business > 13 - 14
Our Mission IASSCS’ Mission is to strengthen the field of social and cultural sexuality research globally.
and technical assistance with research design and grants. The organization will become a source of expertise in related policy debates and will support various activist campaigns consistent with IASSCS’s goals and guiding principles. Strategic Planning Objectives and Results The strategic planning (2007-2008) was a democratic process involving IASSCS Board Members and stakeholders. The final report contained IASSCS’ mission, vision, medium and long-term goals, and efforts toward financial sustainability. This report analyzed options for establishing the institution available in Peru and addressed primary governance, accounting and managerial infrastructure, membership structures and organizational procedures. Preliminary documents were shared with Board Members in several opportunities to receive feedback, a final report was presented to all Board Members on February 2008 and approval of the final versions was reached in July 2008. This
collaborative work process proved to be an ideal opportunity for IASSCS members to reflect on the role and position the Association has achieved in the field internationally during the last 10 years, as well as to discuss and reaffirm the direction it should maintain in the future. ASSCS identified 3 main objectives and activities for the next 3 years: 1. To strengthen research and research capacity in socialcultural dimensions of sexuality globally, with special attention to countries where this research is not welldeveloped. 2. To support expanded dissemination of socio cultural sexuality research findings. 3. To inform policies and programs regarding sexuality from the global to national level in support of IASSCS’ guiding principles.
IASSCS / Institutional Annual Report 2009
3. Recent Institutional Projects IASSCS has received a grant from the Ford Foundation to implement the Advanced Sexuality Studies Course from 2010 to 2012.
Chapter 3 > Recent Institutional Projects > 15 - 16
Research and Research Capacity Strengthening Initiatives a. IASSCS- LaTrobe Collaboration Committee IASSCS signed an agreement with the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia to continue developing strategies for research capacity-building within university and other academic settings. In March 2008, a new joint IASSCS - La Trobe Collaboration Committee was constituted to coordinate the project’s smooth transition from ARCSHS at La Trobe University to IASSCS at the end of 2009 so that IASSCS could take on the project’s activities during Phase 4 (2010-2012). The Collaboration Committee was co-chaired by Carlos Cáceres from IASSCS and Gary Dowsett from ARCSHS-La Trobe, and the committee met online every two
months. Additional members included: Diane di Mauro and Huso Yi from IASSCS; and Sean Slavin, Project Coordinator, from ARCSHS-La Trobe. All Committee members have met in person three times (Feb, April and Nov 2009) to ensure a smooth transition. IASSCS has received a grant from the Ford Foundation to implement the Advanced Sexuality Studies Course from 2010 to 2012. b. 2009 Post- Conference Training The third Post-Conference Training took place from April 19 to 28, 2009 in Hanoi. This time it was designed and planned through the cooperation between IASSCS and the Kartini Network for Gender and Women’s Studies in Asia, as well as with La Trobe University. Huso Yi was appointed Post-
IASSCS / Institutional Annual Report 2009
Conference Training Coordinator and reported regularly to the Conference Organizing Committee and the Board. This year it successfully included participants from NGOs and activist organizations to extend its impact outside the traditional university setting. The overall goal of the VII IASSCS Post-Conference Training (PCT), entitled Sexualities in the 21st century: Participatory research for socio-cultural engagement, was to provide up-to-dated theories and research methods in the area of sexuality for fellows pursuing careers in academic settings and for community-based researchers and advocates who need academic training in the development of their projects for sexual health, diversity, and rights. This PCT course was taught by internationally recognized scholars and activists in the field of sexuality, gender, health, and rights. The IASSCS PCT Training was divided into four major activities: lecture, research seminar, presentation, and
fieldwork study at local NGOs in Hanoi. In addition to formal on-site training courses, an online network has been developed through an email listserv (iasscs2009pct@ googlegroups.com) in order to continue mentorship, develop research ideas, engage with fellows, faculty, and others working in the sexuality field, and receive mutual support in their activities. Since the listserv was established in March, fellows and Dr. Yi have exchanged a number of emails about various topics including upcoming opportunities of scholarship and fellowship, conferences, and reading materials, call for papers, and the progress of their proposed research projects. The communication is still ongoing and will soon incorporate the 2007 PCT participants. We received 60 applications from 24 countries. With financial support from this grant and additional funding from Hivos Foundation, 20 participants were selected to participate in the training program based on a personal statement and research proposal: 15 from Asia and Pacific regions, and 5
Chapter 3 > Recent Institutional Projects > 17 - 18
IASSCS’s website (www.iasscs.org) has been updated and is ready to serve as a platform for individual researchers and regional centers around the world willing to share their studies and resources. > Research Dissemination Initiatives
from non-Asia. Five participants from Vietnam have worked as local logistic coordinators as well as training fellows. In addition, 12 fellows participated in the program through Kartini training project funded through Hivos Foundation.
studies and resources. In coordination with ARCSHS— La Trobe University, an interactive website (www. sexualitynetwork.org) that serves as a global reference point for policy makers, researchers and activists is available.
Below is the breakdown of 19 PCT members supported by IASSCS: • From the following 12 different countries: Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Malawi, New Zealand, Paraguay, Thailand, Vietnam • 9 male, 8 female, 2 transgender participants
In addition, with technical support from the IESSDEH IT team, a Conference site was developed to host information and manage the submission, evaluation and registration processes; as well as to facilitate communication with conference participants.
Research Dissemination Initiatives a. Online Resources IASSCS’s website (www.iasscs.org) has been updated and is ready to serve as a platform for individual researchers and regional centers around the world willing to share their
b. Culture Health and Sexuality IASSCS’s agreement with the journal Culture, Health and Sexuality offers reduced journal subscription rates to all its members through the year 2013, including supplemental issues with the best papers presented at IASSCS Conferences, thus contributing to the dissemination of research from the South.
IASSCS / Institutional Annual Report 2009
244
abstracts with scores of 70 and higher, along with those in the 16 accepted panels, were submitted to Culture, Health and Sexuality to be published in the Supplemental Conference Abstract Book. > Contested Innocence: Sexual agency in public and private space, Hanoi 2009
Additionally, in 2009 CHS offered its publication award (financial and editorial support to publish) to the best paper presented at the IASSCS conference by a newcomer in the field for the second consecutive time. The “Culture, Health and Sexuality” award was granted to Tsitsi Masvawure for her paper entitled “’I Just Want to be Flashy’ Transactional Sex at a University Campus in Zimbabwe.” The paper was accepted for publication in early November. Congratulations! c. IASSCS VII Conference In the last few years, IASSCS conferences have progressively become an important platform to form and strengthen networks of academics, activists and policymakers. IASSCS organized its VII Conference in April 2009, hosted by the ISDS in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Contested Innocence: Sexual agency in public and private space, Hanoi 2009 Preparation for the conference began in early 2008 via e-mail communications between IASSCS Secretariat, the Board and the local organizers. The Academic Program and the Scholarship Committees worked successfully by e-mail and conference calls. The Board meetings that took place in Lima, August 2008 and in New York, November 2008, gave the Board and the conference hosts the opportunity to meet face to face to discuss the conference theme, propose keynote speakers and define other academic and administrative issues. The Secretariat Coordinator also traveled to Hanoi in February 2009 to finalize logistical arrangements on-site. The Program Committee, co-chaired by Richard Parker and Le Minh Giang, was responsible for the successful organization of the Plenary, and enriching Parallel Sessions.
Chapter 3 > Recent Institutional Projects > 19 - 20
The three main titles discussed were: • “I did not have sex with... Politics, media and controversy,” by Lenore Manderson (Australia); • “Out of the Boxes? Between Boxes? No Boxes? New Boxes? Reflections on Gender and Sexual Diversity,” by Dédé Oetomo (Indonesia); and • “The Politics of Public Health With(out) Sexual Health,” by Vera Paiva (Brazil). Abstract submission opened in July/August 2008 and by November 9th, 2008 494 paper abstracts, 24 sessions, 23 poster abstracts, and 12 exhibit abstracts from 71 different countries were submitted through the conference online system. We are very thankful to the 116 experts in the field who agreed to serve as abstract reviewers and complete their review on-line. By January 2009, the 244 abstracts with
scores of 70 and higher, along with those in the 16 accepted panels, were submitted to Culture, Health and Sexuality to be published in the Supplemental Conference Abstract Book.
Financial Support for Scholars from the South A Scholarship Committee, chaired by Lenore Manderson and conformed by Richmond Tiemoko, Violeta Barrientos, Huso Yi, Duong Bach Le, and Saskia Wieringa, had the enormous task of reviewing the 269 scholarship applications received. Below is the breakdown of the 183 total Conference scholarship decisions: • 8 full scholarships • 20 partial scholarships • 155 registration fee waivers • From 19 different countries: Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland,
IASSCS / Institutional Annual Report 2009
Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam • 20 female, 7 male, 1 transgender full and partial scholarship recipients (out of 56 female, 48 male, and 3 transgender scholarship applicants) Additionally, and for the first time at an IASSCS conference, 9 workshop sessions took place organized by local and international organizations; and 10 local and regional organizations participated in the Institutional Fair provided to display, disseminate and exchange relevant information of their research, initiatives and activities in the field.
IASSCS awards A Paper Awards Committee was constituted Co-Chaired by Lenore Manderson and Peter Aggleton, and Duong Bach Le as third member. Papers were received until July 1st and after some deliberations results were announced via email on October 1, 2009. The award and congratulations were granted to: Philip Martin for his paper “These days virginity is just a feeling’: (Hetero)sexuality and change in young urban Vietnamese men.” And an Honorary Mention was granted to: Ramona Vijeyarasa for her paper entitled “The State, family and language of ‘social evils’: Re-stigmatizing victims of trafficking in Vietnam”.
Chapter 3 > Recent Institutional Projects > 21 - 22
All winning posters are posted at the IASSCS website. > IASSCS awards
A Poster Award Committee, Chaired by Lenore Manderson and consisting of Evelyn Blackwood, Van Pham, and Soledad Dalisay, reviewed all posters on display at the conference and met on Friday, April 17th to discuss the results. The IASSCS Poster Award was awarded to both; Maria Nengeh Mensah for “Sex workers training professionals to reduce stigma and vulnerability to HIV”; and Indira (Maya) Ganesh for “Secret Publics and Subversive Erotics in the Networked Society: A Bombay/ Mumbai Story.”
And an Honorary Mention was granted to: Ronnapoom Samakkeekarom for “Portraying Homosexuality Representation on Thai TV Advertisements.” All winning posters are posted at the IASSCS website. http://www.iasscs.org/2009conference/
IASSCS / Institutional Annual Report 2009
4. Membership
IASSCS global membership includes researchers, activists, advocates and artists from diverse backgrounds. In 2009 we reached 101 Members!! For the purposes of increasing and strengthening Southern researchers and activists participation in the field and to promote all regions representation on the Board of Directors of this organization, in April 2009, the General Assembly approved the following regional categories for member affiliation: 1. Latin America and the Caribbean 2. North America and Europe 3. Africa 4. Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, South and Central Asia and the Middle East 5. Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and East Asia
Female
Male
Africa
Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and East Asia
Latin America and the Caribbean
North America and Europe
SE Asia, the Pacific Islands, South and Central Asia and the ME
Total
Chapter 4 > Membership > 23 - 24
General Assembly / Full Members
12
11
3
4
3
8
5
23
Associate members
64
14
12
16
11
26
13
78
Board 2010 - 2012
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
5
Secretariat Staff
2
2
4
> IASSCS Membership Diversity Information
All individuals registering as members through the website or at the IASSCS biennial conferences automatically become Associate Members. This category includes all of the benefits provided to Full Members with the exception of a vote at the General Assembly Meetings and participation as a member of the Board of Directors. This decision was made to ensure the association’s governance, continuity and the fulfillment of legal requirements for non-for profit associations in Peru. At each General Assembly meeting, current Full Members have the opportunity to propose a list of Associate members or people previously involved with IASSCS‘s activities to be invited
to become Full Members. After deliberation and approval by the General Assembly, the Secretariat will formally invite this people to become Full Members and those accepting will therefore be part of the General Assembly.
4
IASSCS / Institutional Annual Report 2009
5. Renewing the Board of Directors In April 2009, the General Assembly approved an election process aimed to ensure regional representation among the Board of Directors which guarantees new leadership over time.
Chapter 5 > Renewing the Board of Directors > 25 - 26
An added value of IASSCS as an independent association is that it is considered an open, democratic, international organization. In April 2009, the General Assembly approved an election process aimed to ensure regional representation among the Board of Directors which guarantees new leadership over time. In June 2009 Evelyn Blackwood was appointed Nominating Officer. In October, after a 2-week online election period the 2010-2012 Board of Directors was elected and by December its Chair and Vice-Chair were also elected.
2010 – 2012 Board Members
Diane di Mauro, Chair, North America and Europe: PhD. Program Director for the MAC-AIDS Leadership Initiative, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York Psychiatric Institute; Assistant Professor, the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, USA.
Juliet Richters, Vice-Chair, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and East Asia: Associate Professor in Sexual Health, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia. Abha Bhaiya, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East: Activist, Researcher, Feminist Trainer and Campaigner; Training Consultant and Advisor with GTZ –GM, Kabul. Carlos F. Cáceres, Latin America and the Caribbean: MD, PhD, Professor of Public Health at Cayetano Heredia University School of Public Health. Peru. Richmond Tiemoko, Africa: Regional Technical Advisor, Population and Development, United Nations Population Funds–Africa Regional Office, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa.
IASSCS / Institutional Annual Report 2009
6. Financial Report and Membership Payments Procedures Since September 2008 IASSCS has benefited from the services of Visanet to provide an online payment system to facilitate membership fee and conference registration collection.
Chapter 6 > Financial Report and Membership Payments Procedures > 27 - 28
Summary 2008 -06/2009 Conference and Membership Fees $ 5,160.00 Ford Grant 2008- 2010 $ 162,480.00 HIVOS 2009 Conference Grant $ 13,800.00 Total Income $ 181,440.00 Total Expenses $ 162,098.64 Balance $ 19,341.36
Over its 12 years, IASSCS has received financial support mainly from the Ford Foundation and Hivos. Before 2008, IASSCS was housed at third party academic institutions that served as temporary sponsors of the Association and administered its funds. Immediately after establishment of the partnership and headquarters of IASSCS in Lima, Peru, IASSCS and IESSDEH signed a Financial and Managerial Agreement establishing that IESSDEH will support IASSCS activities with the funds provided by the 2008-2010 Ford grant and until 2010 when IASSCS will be able to open its own bank accounts and receive funds directly. In November 2009 IASSCS has received funds from Ford Foundation and Hivos to support two 2-year projects. These are the first grants to be received directly by IASSCS.
By an agreement with IESSDEH, IASSCS shares the use of an Enterprise Resource Planning System (Flexline ERP) to organize and manage IASSCS funds, accounts, and administrative work. Since September 2008 IASSCS has benefited from the services of Visanet to provide an online payment system to facilitate membership fee and conference registration collection. Starting on 2010 Mastercard payments will be also accepted as well. Financial reports were sent to funding institutions for the period ending June 2009, and are available upon request.
Design: D. Israel Peralta israelperalta.daportfolio.com
International Association for the Study Sexuality, Culture and Society