UN Guidelines for the Appropriate Use and Conditions of Alternative Care for Children

The draft guidelines are now available in four languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Arabic

The projected international guidelines seek to ensure that, on the one hand, children do not find themselves in out-of-home care unnecessarily and, on the other, out-of-home care provided is of a type and quality that corresponds to the rights and specific needs of the child concerned. They are designed to promote, facilitate and guide the progressive implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in this particular area of concern. The non-binding Guidelines, ultimately for adoption by the United Nations General Assembly, address not only governments but also international bodies and organisations, civil society, professionals, voluntary organisations and the private sector to the extent that they are directly or indirectly involved with organising, providing or monitoring out-of-home care for children.

A first draft of the guidelines was developed by NGOs in a working group on children without parental care, convened by International Social Service when the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child recommended the development of international standards in this sphere following the Day of General Discussion in September 2005. UNICEF has also been closely involved in the drafting process, and the Better Care Network's advisory group reviewed and commented on the guidelines. Young people have also been included in the consultations, providing valuable insight into matters that affect them.

In May, 2006, the draft guidelines were submitted to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The Committee reviewed and strengthened the guidelines in preparation for informal technical review by UN member states.

BCN Initiatives

Better Care Network Advocacy

Research and experience show that families and communities under considerable strain (whether from HIV/AIDS or other health problems, income or other forms of poverty, conflict, etc.) find ways to cope with the growing numbers of children in need of care. Traditional family and community coping mechanisms, however, need support to ensure children have access to basic services, and are protected from exploitation, abuse, and neglect. Similarly, caretakers need to be supported in ways that encourage and stimulate quality care for children. Institutions, including orphanages, should be avoided, as this type of care is often detrimental to children's well-being and is far more expensive than supporting children in families. Families and communities are the first line of defense for children, and the only sustainable option. Community-based monitoring mechanisms, supported by government departments responsible for social welfare, education, health and justice, are needed to guard against abuse, exploitation and neglect. And in all cases, the best interests of the child are paramount.

When formal care is in the best interest of a child, family and community-based options (foster care, guardianship, small residential facilities that are connected with the community, in-country adoption) should be developed and prioritized. The Better Care Network advocates for the development of appropriate standards and guidelines for formal care, and the training and resources that are needed to ensure they are adhered to.

The Better Care Network has an active working group on advocacy, which has opened up constructive dialogue with faith-based partners, bi-lateral organizations and non- governmental organizations on these issues. Advocacy meetings and consultations are convened wherever appropriate and possible. In addition, the Network is developing a paper that outlines the range of alternative care options that should be in place for children. To learn more about some of the advocacy work, and how it relates to the Network's structure, visit the advisory group page, or contact us.

Children of Sierra Leone Still Paying the Price of ?Blood? Diamonds

By All As One / Jen Brauer       Contact publisher via email

http://www.asktheeu.org/en/request/527/response/2160/attach/html/14/letter%20Cavada%2020.12.2006.pdf.html

NAL 1er Décembre 2006

La directrice de l'Institut du Bien-Etre social, Gabrielle Beaudin Prévilon

Adoption internationale, un rapport accablant

Haïti: Terre des Hommes, en collaboration avec le Fond des Nations Unies pour l'enfance (UNICEF), a présenté un rapport critique sur le processus d'adoption internationale en Haïti, le vendredi 1er décembre, à l'Hôtel Montana. Réalisé en 2005 sous la supervision des experts Marlène Hofstetter et Fernando Freire, ce rapport peint un tableau sombre de la situation actuelle en Haïti et dénonce les abus et le commerce illicite à l'encontre des intérêts des enfants et de leurs familles.

Madame Hofstester, qui a présenté le rapport, se dit exaspérée de constater que des gens fassent leur beurre au détriment des enfants alors que ces derniers ont grandement besoin de l'aide internationale. L'adoption est devenue un commerce incroyable et n'est souvent pas justifiée pour la majorité de ces enfants adoptés. Le rapport pointe du doigt certaines crèches qui empochent 10.000 dollars ou plus pour un enfant, qu'il fait chercher sur commande, sans rien verser aux parents.

waltersnewaddition

November 26, 2006

I hope that posting this is ok. I received this from another group. I am sorry if I am posting this wrong.

Thought some of you would be interested...

----- Original Message -----

Press release – 712(2006)

“They need a home”

Statement by Maud de Boer-Buquicchio

Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Strasbourg, 20.11.2006 – “Tens of thousands of children in Europe live in their own, nightmarish version of Neverland, in which there are very few Wendys and far too many Captain Hooks. For these children, Neverland means that they never had a real home, never experienced genuine love, never had a real childhood and, if nothing is done, will never have a chance at a decent start in life.

De Combret: Legea adop?iilor din România nu respect? conven?iile interna?ionale Publish date: Tuesday , 14-11-2006 Community topic: Legislation Editorial domain: Society Legea din 2004 privind adop?iile din România include un articol care este împotriva Conven?iei Na?iunilor Unite ?i a Conven?iei de la Haga, pentru c? interzice adop?ia interna?ional?, a declarat pre?edintele Funda?iei SERA Fran?a Legea din 2004 privind adop?iile din România include un articol care este împotriva Conven?iei Na?iunilor Unite ?i a Conven?iei de la Haga, pentru c? interzice adop?ia interna?ional?, a declarat pre?edintele Funda?iei SERA Fran?a, Francois De Combret, în încercarea de a for?a autorit??ile române s? revin? asupra legisla?iei în acest domeniu.   Source: .(MEDIAFAX GENERAL 9 noiembrie)

Adaugat: Sambata, 11 noiembrie 2006 , ora 02:04

Bertzi: Romania, santajata de europarlamentari sa reia exportul de copii

Seful Oficiului roman pentru Adoptii acuza "euro-presiunile"11.11.2006 Seful ORA, Theodora Bertzi, a declarat ca, in cadrul dezbaterii despre adoptiile europene de la Bruxelles, romania a fost santajata de parlamentarii europenii sa reia adoptiile parlamentare: ori bani de la UE, ori copii la export.

Autoritatile romane, invitate de Parlamentul European sa participe la colocviul pe tema adoptiilor europene, au trait pentru cateva ore un adevarat cosmar. Acestea au fost puse la zid de europarlamentari din cauza faptului ca romania nu doreste sa reia adoptiile internationale. Mai mult decat atat, europarlamentarul Tanock Charles a propus ca tara noastra sa nu mai primeasca fondurile structurale daca nu deschide drumul exportului de minori.

Initiatorii colocviului de la Bruxelles, ce a avut ca tema de discutie adoptiile europene, au fost europarlamentarii Jean Marie Cavada si Claire Gibault. Acele persoane care, cu mai putin de doua saptamani in urma, au venit in romania pentru a le cere autoritatilor autohtone sa reia adoptiile internationale. Pentru ca initiativa lor nu a avut sorti de izbanda, acestia au chemat o delegatie romana la Bruxelles sa participe, chipurile, la o dezbatere pe tema adoptiilor. Aici, surpriza! Colocviul european fusese pregatit de acestia doar pentru a pune la zid romania. a??Nimeni nu se astepta sa fie asa. Ni s-a spus ca se va discuta pe tema adoptiilor europene, insa dezbaterea s-a transformat intr-un atac la tinta, un asalt de fapt asupra romaniei, in sensul in care au inceput sa se spuna lucruri extrem de emotionale si de neadevarate in legatura cu romania. S-au adus niste acuze si s-au spus cuvinte foarte grele, la modul ca tratam protectia copilului nationalist, faptul ca sunt niste pretexte argumentele care vorbesc despre faptul ca demografia romaniei scade si ca un copil trebuie sa creasca in aceeasi religie si aproape de familia sa. Ni s-a spus ca suntem comunisti si ca ascundem realitatea. De altfel, lista lucrurilor jignitoare sau neadevarate despre tara noastra a fost mai lunga", a declarat secretarul de stat, seful Oficiului roman pentru Adoptii (ORA), Theodora Bertzi.