2025 World Congress on STIs and HIV

2025 World Congress on STIs and HIV

Written by Marie Nimmegeers

Today, I had the honor of representing the EMSN (European Sexual Medicine Network) and collaborating with UNESCO at the 2025 World Congress on STIs and HIV in Montreal.

There, I presented the MOOC project “Promouvoir la santé sexuelle” (Promoting Sexual Health), an online course open to everyone that is designed to improve knowledge and professional practices in the field of sexual health.

This project arose from a simple but alarming observation: too many healthcare providers feel they are not adequately trained to discuss sexuality with their patients. But how can you provide comprehensive care without taking into account the sexual, emotional, and relational dimensions of each individual?

This MOOC, which I had the privilege of helping to develop together with European and international colleagues, offers:

• thematic modules (sexual rights, communication, cultural diversity…), • accessible, respectful, and inclusive language, • active teaching methods (animated videos, interviews with experts, interactive quizzes).

The feedback from the first participants has been very positive: they feel more confident in their conversations with patients and are clearly willing to incorporate this aspect into their practice.

As a urologist and andrologist, I am convinced that better sexual health can only be achieved through better training for healthcare professionals, as well as through an approach based on human rights, active listening, and openness.