DIA – Danish International Adoption ceases to function as an intermediary for international adoptions
The trust no longer lasted
Adoption og Samfund, like the rest of Denmark, has today become aware that DIA's board of directors has decided yesterday to wind down their activities as mediators of international adoptions.
This means that there are currently is no one to mediate any international adoptions, either ongoing or upcoming. Adoption & Society has been informed that work is being done on a plan around this, just as the minister in the area, Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil, has also stated in the press.
A strained relationship between the Danish authorities and DIA, the only intermediary organization for international adoption in Denmark, has now resulted in the temporary closure of international adoption to Denmark. The trust that international adoption through DIA can take place legally, ethically and morally correctly is gone, and the Ministry of Social Affairs, Housing and the Elderly has therefore temporarily suspended all country agreements. DIA has therefore now taken the consequence and is shutting down their work as mediators of international adoption.
The trust between the Danish authorities and DIA is gone and therefore we believe in Adoption & Society that it is the right decision. For everyone's sake, not least the adopted, adoptive families, biological and foster families, etc.
Criticism of DIA has long been very serious. The strained relationship between DIA and the Danish authorities has been a significant obstacle to a fruitful development of the adoption area in Denmark. And when the cooperation between DIA and the Danish authorities does not work, other options must be looked for, so that international adoption can continue in a new model. The adoptees and their families must always be able to trust that everything has taken place correctly regarding an adoption. As a society, we owe it to all our adoptees and their families.
The closure of DIA unfortunately leaves a number of children who could have a good family in a difficult situation. We will therefore immediately enter into dialogue with the Danish authorities about a new model that secures the children's future.
Our focus is and always has been on the children. Why can't a rich, happy and very little corrupt country like Denmark participate in international adoptions? If we can't offer these abandoned children with no other options a family, who can? We have a big responsibility!
Michael Paaske
Foreperson
Adoption & Society
Contact persons:
Foreperson Michael Paaske, tel. 2389 7151, email: mjp@adoption.dk
1. second person Sanne Vindahl Nyvang, tel. 5388 2840, email: svn@adoption.dk