March 2013

EurAdopt supports ICAB resolution

The EurAdopt member organizations collaborating in inter-country adoptions with ICAB (Philippines) expressed, in a letter sent to Atty. Bernadette Abejo, ICAB Executive Director, their strong support to ICAB Resolution of August 17th 2012 stating the policy on the conditional moratorium as set per organization. In situations of countries of origin authorities deciding on quotas and moratorium policies, it is in accordance with EurAdopt general principles that each organization respects and puts into action the policies of the countries of origin and adjusts its actions to suitable numbers in accordance with the actual need for adoption applications.

EurAdopt at the XIII JORNADAS SOBRE ADOPCION INTERNATIONAL, Madrid (Spain), 12-13 December, 2012

EurAdopt was represented by Susana Katz-Heieck (AdA, Germany) at this meeting organized by the Spanish Central Authority and held in Madrid on 12-13 December 2012. She gave a presentation on “New challenges for the International Adoption” and participated in the Workshop: “How much information about the child is needed to make a professional matching”.

In the first presentation challenges related to the role of Accredited Bodies in working in the best interest of children have been discussed. These included (a) the correct balance with the interests of perspective adoptive parents, especially when it comes to making pressure on countries of origin, (b) the due attention and focus to “special need” children, that implicate new programs, and growing responsibility, (c) the quality of post-adoption services, that are increasingly requested by adoptive parents, (d) the assumption of full responsibility of the activities in the country of origin through adequate training and relation for the representatives of the Accredited Body.

In the second presentation, two main aspects have been discussed: (a) how to ascertain that the information on the children are of the best possible quality, through cooperation with the institutions of the country of origin which is an essential prerequisite, and (b) obtain information on the evolution of the child, his/her reaction to traumatic experiences, response to interventions, etc.

Benyam Dawit Mezmur nominated to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child

EurAdopt Executive Board congratulates Dr. Benyam Dawit Mezmur for his nomination to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. EurAdopt and EurAdopt member organizations have a long standing collaboration with Dr. Mezmur, and he has been invited to talk at EurAdopt meetings. EurAdopt Executive Board is confident that Dr. Mezmur will impact significantly on the activities of the Committee to improve the conditions of children throughout the world and wishes him all the best for his new commitment.

EurAdopt at the Atelier de travail francophone sur la Convention de La Haye du 29 mai 1993 sur la protection des enfants et la coopération en matière d'adoption internationale (Workshop on the Hague Convention of 29 May 1993 on child protection and cooperation on intercountry adoption), in Dakar, Senegal, 27-30 November 2012.

EurAdopt was represented by Jette Wuertz (AC, International Child Support, DK) at this workshop organised by the Hague Convention in Dakar (Senegal. More than 60 participants from Central Authorities and Ministries of Justice of 15 French-speaking African and Central American countries of origin were present. There were also representatives from 6 receiving countries including representatives from 5 Central Authorities, and EurAdopt and in addition UNICEF, Save the Children, African Child Policy Forum, ISS and Permanent Bureau of Hague Convention.

The conference lasted 4 days and had a variety of themes on the agenda and, among other things, discussed different issues such as intercountry adoption today with special focus on Africa. As the representative for EurAdopt, Jette Würtz gave two presentations: “What is good practice for adoption organisations? “ and “What is Post Adoption Service (PAS) and how do the receiving countries work with PAS, including recommendations countries of origin concerning the preparation of the child and the preservation of the child's history? “

A mutual exchange of experiences was a significant part of the conference for both the countries of origin and the receiving countries, and all themes were eagerly discussed.