Unesco is launching “From Insult To Inclusion”, the first regional review of LGBTI bullying in Asia-Pacific at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand on Phloenchit Road on Thursday from 5-8pm.

The majority of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) youth in Asia-Pacific say they have been subjected to some form of violence or bullying in school. In some countries, as many as four out of five LGBTI learners are affected.

This can take many forms — physical, verbal, psychological or sexual abuse or social exclusion both online and off. The end result remains the same — millions of young learners throughout the Asia-Pacific region are being denied their right to an education.

The impacts can be lifelong and devastating in terms of economic and employment prospects, as well as on a personal level. Asia-Pacific studies show that up to one in three LGBTI learners report depression; up to seven in 10 report harming themselves; and nearly five in 10 have attempted suicide.

Unesco’s report “From Insult To Inclusion” comprehensively examines these challenges in Asia-Pacific. It looks at the broader legal and educational contexts in countries throughout the region related to bullying on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, and features the voices of young learners themselves and their personal stories of abuse and exclusion.

Concrete steps that education sector planners, teachers, school leaders and communities throughout the region can take to address this situation are also presented.

The evening will feature a screening of Imagine That, a three-minute short film on LGBTI learners’ experiences in Asia-Pacific; presentation of key findings; and a panel discussion on the findings of the report.

A young learner from Asia-Pacific facing the issues addressed in this review will join the discussion. The speakers include Dr Gwang-Jo Kim, director of Unesco Bangkok; Leah Patricia Magdaleno-Galgo, a child protection officer from the Philippines’ Department of Education; Thomas Guadamuz, a researcher from Mahidol University; Susi Fitri from Indonesia’s Guidance & Counseling Association; and Justine Sass, an HIV and health education adviser from Unesco Bangkok.

There is no admission fee. Email pui@midas-pr.com or call 02-398-3101.