From: @europarl. europa.eu ] Sent: Thursday, 10 October 2013 13:50 To: Arun Dohle Subject: RE: info about Conference 'A European Adoption Policy?
Dear Mr. Dohle,
Even if the parliamentary processes have not given me any real breathing space since the summer break, I have now gathered enough information to finally write to you - and at the same time ask your indulgence for the delay.
Like all events organized and financed by the ALDE group, the basis for the adoption event is an official decision of the 'ALDE Bureau'. Attached you will find the minutes of the relevant meeting on April 4, 2006. In terms of content, the criteria for supporting an event make it possible for policy areas to be discussed in which the parliamentary group has not (yet) defined a common position. In this respect, dealing with the topic of adoption was not taboo. The (obvious) basis for not putting any obstacles in the way of the event was that it should give supporters and opponents of adoption the opportunity to present their points of view. In this respect, the topic was broader than that in the database of the European Parliament, so " to reflect on the best solution for the best interests of the child between international and national adoption and placement/retention in children's homes at a time when, especially in Romania, thousands of children in children's homes were not admitted to their potential adoptive parents. The event was attended by representatives of the EU, UNICEF, the Hague Conference, MEPs from the liberal and other parliamentary groups, representatives of the Italian and Romanian governments, as well as national administrations and universities, child psychiatrists and last but not least a large number of adopted children who bear witness to their own fate. to reflect on the best solution for the best interests of the child between international and national adoption and placement/retention in children's homes at a time when, especially in Romania, thousands of children in children's homes were not admitted to their potential adoptive parents. The event was attended by representatives of the EU, UNICEF, the Hague Conference, MEPs from the liberal and other parliamentary groups, representatives of the Italian and Romanian governments, as well as national administrations and universities, child psychiatrists and last but not least a large number of adopted children who bear witness to their own fate. thousands of children in children's homes were not allowed to see their potential adoptive parents. The event was attended by representatives of the EU, UNICEF, the Hague Conference, MEPs from the liberal and other parliamentary groups, representatives of the Italian and Romanian governments, as well as national administrations and universities, child psychiatrists and last but not least a large number of adopted children who bear witness to their own fate. thousands of children in children's homes were not allowed to see their potential adoptive parents. The event was attended by representatives of the EU, UNICEF, the Hague Conference, MEPs from the liberal and other parliamentary groups, representatives of the Italian and Romanian governments, as well as national administrations and universities, child psychiatrists and last but not least a large number of adopted children who bear witness to their own fate.
It was a one-day seminar, initiated - as you know - by the two MPs at the time, Jean-Marie Cavada and Claire Gibault, who no longer belong to the ALDE. Another British MP at the time, Baroness Emma Nicholson, was very critical of intercountry adoption and, since she was unable to be present herself, advocated that several British experts should be invited, specifically Helen Jones, Inspector General of Social Affairs Services at the UK Department of Health and Kevin Browne, Professor of Family Psychology. Both indeed took part in the panel discussions.