Joint Council on International Children's Services is pleased to announce the JCICS International Relations Initiative.
WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS INITIATIVE?
In alignment with our mission of advocating for children in need of permanency and in response to current international trends and member requests, Joint Council is embarking on an aggressive initiative designed to develop relationships, resolve issues, create collaborations and expand opportunities all with a goal of advancing the cause of permanency for children in need. The JCICS International Relations Initiative takes a proactive approach to the myriad of issues facing our member organizations, our colleagues around the world, and--most importantly--the children we all serve.
By year-end, JCICS hopes to travel to six countries, participate in the UNICEF NGO Committee, collaborate with other NGOs, and establish a leadership position on issues most directly impeding permanent stable solutions. As part of this initiative, JCICS has appointed Mr. Tom DiFilipo to represent the organization.
As part of the JCICS International Relations Initiative, we will work closely with our country caucuses, individual member agencies, and key officials to ensure effective representation and positive outcomes. Joint Council will continue to utilize its effective relationships with key legislators, the Department of State, and US CIS to further expand our advocacy efforts.
International visits will be prioritized based on the country’s current situation. JCICS will also strive to strengthen relationships with other countries that are not currently open to the United States for adoption. For example, JCICS would like to relationship-build with Hague countries that will be opening to the United States once it ratifies the convention.
The results of initial trips to Russia, Ukraine, and Guatemala may be viewed in the Recent News section below. Our relationship with governments of these countries presents unique challenges that impact thousands of children in need. These challenges must be addressed with an actionable plan that addresses the right of every child to a safe, permanent, and loving family. Additional countries that are slated to be visited in 2006 include Mexico, China, and Vietnam.
As with any broad initiative, sufficient funding is a concern. Financial support for this initiative is reliant on the assistance of our member organizations and on JCICS operating funds. The proposed visits may be modified depending on funding received. If you are interested in contributing to a specific trip, please visit JCICS' online donation tool and select "International Relations Initiative" from the dropdown menu. You may also contact the JCICS office for more information.
We are excited about this opportunity and feel that JCICS is uniquely positioned at this point in time to expand our international reach. Please join us through your active participation in country caucuses, financial support, or direct involvement in this much- needed advocacy work.
RECENT NEWS
JCICS returns to Guatemala (November 5-9, 2006)
Mr. DiFilipo will be taking his second of three planned visits to Guatemala to continue JCICS' mission of advocating for the right of Guatemalan children to a safe, permanent and loving home. The meetings will build on previous discussions regarding changes to the Guatemalan intercountry adoption process and potential for creating a Hague-compliant system. A copy of the report from the trip can be found here. This report includes information about the Joint Council delegation to Guatemala, the Joint Council testimony before the House International Relations Subcommittee, the Joint Council Guatemala Caucus Leaders Meeting, and the Joint Council/Congressional Briefing on Guatemala.
Members of the Joint Council Delegation to Guatemala with Consul General John Lowell and Vice- Consul General Kathryn Cabral of the U.S. Embassy, Manuel Manrique of UNICEF, and Jorge Castillo of the Instituto de Derechos de la Nino e Familia in November 2006.
JCICS returns to Russia (September 24-October 3, 2006)
Mr. DiFilipo--traveling on behalf of JCICS--will accompany the National Council for Adoption, Adoption Associates and the Gladney Center for Adoption on this delegation. A detailed report of Mr. DiFilipo’s trip to Russia will be made available to the caucus and membership upon his return. A copy of the report from the trip can be found here.
JCICS travels to Guatemala (August 29-September 5, 2006)
Mr. DiFilipo met with numerous members of the Guatemalan adoption community, including representatives from the Office of the First Lady, Ministry of Foreign Relations, Congressional delegation, Instituto de Derechos de la Nino e Familia, Association in Defense of Adoption and U.S. Embassy (DOS & CIS).
During the six-day visit, Joint Council advocated for significant change in the Guatemalan intercountry adoption process. Fees that reflect the provision of social services (as opposed to fees that reflect market forces); the elimination of the intermediary’s influence; inclusion of social service professionals in the adoption process; enhancement of accountability, transparency and standards of practice through oversight, supervision and accreditation; and legislative considerations for funding, and practical implementation were issues that Joint Council brought to each discussion and dialogue. Most importantly Joint Council advocated for the protection of a child’s right to a permanent, safe and loving family through intercountry adoption.
At the forefront was the issue of U.S. ratification of the Hague convention. On this critical issue, Joint Council advocated for the implementation of a process that is both child-centric and functional. With a strong message that the U.S. will ratify in 2007, Joint Council urged all parties to work toward a Hague-compliant system that will allow DOS to issue immigrant visas upon U.S. ratification of the Hague convention, respect the Guatemalan constitution, and--most importantly--safeguard the best interest of each child.
On September 6th and 8th, Joint Council met with and briefed CIS in Mexico City and DOS in Washington respectively, on our advocacy efforts in Guatemala, including the findings of this trip. Joint Council urged DOS and CIS to engage all parties and focus their efforts on the creation of a protective and functional process.
This successful series of meetings represents only the first of three planned visits to Guatemala. Joint Council will continue to use the International Relations Initiative and subsequent visits to Guatemala as part of our continuing advocacy for the right of Guatemalan children to permanency, safety and love.
JCICS thanks those members of the Guatemala Caucus for their valued input and overall support of the Joint Council International Relations Initiative. We also extend our gratitude to caucus members, Mr. Chris Huber and Ms. Hannah Wallace, who accompanied Mr. DiFilipo during various meetings in Guatemala.
JCICS travels to Russia (June 18-24, 2006)
During the visit to Russia Mr. DiFilipo met with Jim Petit, Consular General, and Connie Anderson, Consul Chief Immigrant Visa Section from the U.S. Embassy. Meetings were also held with two staff members in the Ministry of Education and a member of the Duma (given the political sensitivity regarding this issue in Russia, these individuals requested anonymity).
Mr. DiFilipo met with officials from the U.S. Embassy, the Russian Ministry of Education, and a member of the Duma. JCICS hopes to establish a permanent advocacy effort in Russia by partnering with existing Russian child welfare professionals or creating a Russian NGO, and it was universally agreed that such an effort would be positively received by officials, child welfare professionals, and the public at large.
In regards to accreditation and case processing, these meetings clarified the following information (Note: Information may have changed since the June visit):
No new agencies can apply for accreditation.
Agencies with active accreditation or expired accreditation must register as an NGO with the Ministry of Justice prior to applying for reaccreditation.
The MOJ has not issued specific regulations and/or instructions for NGO registration. No timeline for the issuance of such regulations appear to be in place.
Independent adoptions continue to be permitted by law and practice.
Despite anecdotal reports from agencies that the volume of cases completed continues to shrink, Connie Anderson reports that visa processing continues on par with ’05 volumes.
In regards to legislation, any legislation that would enable international adoption only through accredited agencies (thereby eliminating the practice of independent adoption) will not be addressed prior to Parliament’s summer recess. The general opinion is that any such legislation would not be addressed by Parliament until fourth quarter 206 or first quarter 2007 at the earliest.
A common theme discussed was the need for a Russian based organization/individual to advocate for both national and international adoption as opposed to highly publicized advocacy efforts by U.S. groups. It was generally agreed that such an effort would be received positively and, therefore, more effective. JCICS will explore this opportunity. In addition, it was suggested that JCICS fully develop its advocacy through partnerships and relationship with individuals and other non-governmental organizations on the ground in Russia.
Mr. DiFilipo also addressed the following concerns broached by Citizen Services at the U.S. Embassy:
The use of templates for home studies.
The lack of cooperation amongst agencies, thereby allowing for 'rejected' families to simply shop for an agency willing to provide a positive HS.
The lack or minimal amount of parent education provided to some families.
Mr. Pettit requested JCICS assistance in addressing these concerns with agencies. JCICS did clarify the home study process and explained the impact of confidentiality and privacy laws for concern #2, as well as explained the depth and breadth of education most agencies provide to families. The mission and role of JCICS and the new International Relations Initiative were also explained.
The embassy shared in the frustration of parents, advocates and agencies regarding the accreditation process and NGO registration. Mr. Pettit assured JCICS that his office remain in contact with government officials regarding these two critical issues.
JCICS travels to Ukraine (June 18-24, 2006)
Mr. DiFilipo met with officials from the U.S. Embassy, and Ms. Volynetz, SDAPRC Director. The opportunity to establish a permanent advocacy effort in Ukraine is very apparent and will be pursued in the coming months through relationships with like-minded NGOs in Ukraine. A prevalent theme was a desire to shift public support for not just international adoption specifically, but for Ukrainian adoption in general.
During the meeting with the SDAPRC, several of the organization's current concerns emerged, including the following:
Murder of children adopted internationally, specifically the negative impact this has on the attitude towards adoption and international adoption
Adoptive families who abandon their Ukraine children while still in Ukraine
Cases involving adopted children visiting Ukraine and requesting to remain in Ukraine as opposed to returning to the U.S. with their adoptive family
Communication between adoptive families and birth family (this is seen as a normal and positive request/event)
The legality of summer camps (The APRC desires to continue summer camp programs, but cannot do so under the old protocols)
The ongoing ‘promise’ of U.S. implementation of the Hague
The APRC currently has no protocols or processes established to facilitate international adoptions. They remain confident that such protocols will be established prior to September 1 2006.
A primary tactic to reach their stated goals is a public relations campaign designed to shift public opinion on national and international adoption. Much like the APRC, the U.S. Embassy also communicated the need for a PR campaign designed to promote both national and international adoption.
Ms. Volynetz, SDAPRC Director, also specifically requested JCICS input on Case Processing and Summer Camps, two issues of primary importance.
JCICS Follow-up: In response to the Ukraine State Department of Adoption's continuing concerns regarding missing post-adoption reports, JCICS proactively sent a letter to Ms. Ludmyla Volynets -- Director of the State Department for Adoption and Protection of Rights of the Child in the Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports -- offering our assistance.
Included in the letter was a request for the release of the names of children with missing reports and suggestions on protocols to minimize such an occurrence in the future. Please click this link to access that letter.
JCICS will continue to dialogue with the SDA, DOS and US Embassy in Kiev on this critical issue.
Please check back often for more information about the work of the International Relations Initiative and our continued commitment to strengthening relationships with countries abroad in order to serve children.
.