In the heart of Santa Fe, Argentina, a different kind of competition is taking shape—one where the trophies are measured in awareness and the athletes are students armed with creativity. The Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR) has announced that the deuxième édition des Jeux olympiques ESI is currently in preparation, signaling a renewed commitment to bringing comprehensive sexual education to the forefront of the youth experience.
Unlike traditional athletic games, these “Olympics” serve as a collaborative platform for students from UNR’s pre-university schools. The event is designed to transform the often-clinical nature of sexual health discussions into a dynamic exchange of ideas, using art, technology, and peer-to-peer dialogue to promote the principles of the Educación Sexual Integral (ESI).
The upcoming gathering is scheduled for Friday, September 4, and will be hosted at the Escuela Técnica Agrícola « Libertador General San Martín » in Casilda. By moving the event to an agricultural technical school, the program emphasizes that these essential conversations regarding rights and identity belong in every educational environment, regardless of the school’s specialization.
A youth-led approach to Comprehensive Sexual Education
The initiative is rooted in the framework of Argentina’s National Program for Comprehensive Sexual Education, which establishes sexual education as a fundamental right for all students. The ESI Olympics aim to move beyond the classroom by placing the students’ own voices and productions at the center of the narrative.
The goal is to reinforce ESI not just as a curriculum requirement, but as a tool for building more just, equal, and respectful relationships. By encouraging students to research and present their own projects, the UNR is fostering a sense of agency among adolescents, allowing them to define how gender, diversity, and rights are communicated to their peers.
The success of the inaugural edition set a high bar for this year’s preparations. The first event drew more than 140 young people from six different schools, who presented creative proposals that merged academic research with artistic expression. This collective experience helped consolidate the event as a space for participatory learning rather than top-down instruction.
Mechanics of the competition and creativity
Participation in the deuxième édition des Jeux olympiques ESI is open to students from UNR pre-university schools. The organizational structure encourages teamwork, with students forming groups of up to five members. To ensure a supportive environment, these teams can be accompanied by teachers, counselors, or other school staff.
The format of the day is designed for maximum engagement and critical thinking. Each group is allotted 10 minutes to present their proposal, followed by an open discussion. This allows participants to share feedback, offer suggestions, and contribute to the evolution of the project in real-time. The process concludes with collective evaluations, leading to the awarding of prizes and honorable mentions.
The versatility of the submissions is a hallmark of the event. Students are encouraged to move beyond traditional essays, utilizing a wide array of formats to convey their messages:
- Interactive Media: Educational videos and digital presentations.
- Visual Arts: Comics, murals, and artistic interventions.
- Experiential Learning: Hands-on workshops and educational games.
- Literature: Creative writing and literary productions.
Pathways to participation and support
To ensure the event remains accessible, the UNR has implemented a two-stage registration process. The first step involves a pre-registration form, which allows students to express interest before they have a finalized group or project. This lowers the barrier to entry, encouraging students who may not have an immediate team to join the initiative.
Once a group is formed and a project is developed, students submit a final registration detailing their specific proposal. Recognizing that navigating topics of gender and rights can be complex, the participating educational institutions provide direct support to students during the development of their projects.
To maintain a standard of quality and clarity, the university has provided a comprehensive Guide for Project Submission. This document outlines the necessary procedures, evaluation criteria, and thematic recommendations to help students align their creativity with the core objectives of the ESI framework.
Timeline and project milestones
| Stage | Action Required | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Pre-registration Form | Initial expression of interest |
| Phase 2 | Team & Project Development | Collaborative research and creation |
| Phase 3 | Final Registration | Submission of project details |
| Event Day | Presentation (10 mins) | Peer review and collective evaluation |
As the date in Casilda approaches, the focus remains on the “construction collective”—the idea that sexual education is not a static set of facts, but a living conversation. By integrating the Universidad Nacional de Rosario‘s academic rigor with the raw creativity of its students, the ESI Olympics are attempting to bridge the gap between legal mandates and the lived realities of Argentine youth.
The next confirmed checkpoint for participants is the completion of the final registration forms, which will determine the final roster of projects to be presented on September 4.
We invite readers to share their thoughts on youth-led education in the comments below or share this story with educators and students.
