Joint Council on International Children's Services
is pleased to announce the JCICS International Relations Initiative.
NEW! June 20th - Joint
Council announces IRI plans for Summer 2007!
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
Joint
Council announces International Relations Initiative plans for Summer
2007
President & CEO Tom DiFilipo has announced the travel and advocacy plans
of Joint Council's International Relations Initiative for Summer 2007,
that include:
-
On June 26th,
Joint Council’s Tom DiFilipo and Adam Schlicht will meet with
representatives from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in New
York City.
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Also June 26th,
Joint Council, in conjunction with our Global Awareness Campaign and
Happy Families International, will host the screening of
Children on the Other Shore
in New York City. Following the screening, guests from the U.S.
Department of State, Russian Embassy and Consulate, along with others
from the child welfare community, will join together during an open
reception. For more information, please visit Joint Council's
Member Activities page.
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From June 28th
through July 2nd, Joint Council will be traveling on a
delegation with Holt International and Faith International to Nepal.
The purpose of the delegation will be to meet with the Nepal Social
Welfare Council, the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare and
members of the Maoist party. Our primary mission is to advocate for the
finalization of the 400 pipeline adoptions currently on-hold, promote
positive reforms via transparent fees, encourage accreditation of social
service providers and the elimination of independent facilitators, and
to support the provision of a broad range of children’s services.\
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On July 3rd,
Joint Council will meet with the Vietnam Ministry of Justice’s
Department of International Adoptions in Bangkok, Thailand. In
addition to enhancing our working relationship with the DIA, Joint
Council will address ongoing concerns and the issuance of a transparent
fee structure.
Detailed information
about these efforts will be available in the future.
JCICS returns to Guatemala (April
22-26, 2007)
As part of Joint Council's
International Relations Initiative, Tom DiFilipo,
President & CEO, traveled to Guatemala the week of April 22-26, 2007.
Meetings were conducted with UNICEF, representatives from the United
States Department of State including Kathryn Cabral and John Lowell, as
well as members of the Guatemalan Congress including representatives of
all major parties. As part of the visit, Joint Council was privileged
to not only have individual meetings with numerous Congressmen, but also
to be invited into the diplomatic section of congress where we met with
11 congressmen and witnessed the signing of a legislative amendment.
This was a very educational experience of which we remain both
appreciative and honored.
Based on these meetings, it is Joint
Council's understanding that the Guatemalan Congress will introduce
(through the first of three required readings) a reaffirmation of the
Hague Convention. An amendment to the bill sets January 1, 2008 as the
effective date of this reaffirmation. Previous to and during our visit,
Joint Council supported the reaffirmation provided the amendment was
attached. The reaffirmation is a significant step in reforming the
intercountry adoption process, resolving the internal issue of Guatemala
as a Hague country and easing the polarization which continued to derail
reform efforts. While we have confirmed that the reaffirmation is on
the Congressional agenda for May 2nd, it is possible that the
introduction and passage may not occur until the week of May 8th
and/or May 15th. Noting that Congress is out of session from
May 16th through August, Joint Council will continue to urge
Congress to reaffirm the Convention prior to their recess.
It is also our understanding that
current Hague bills, 3217 and 3536, may be on the Congressional agenda
prior to the May 15th recess. We do not anticipate the
passage of either bill as it appears that neither bill has the required
support or votes. As we have previously noted, Joint Council can not
support the passage of either bill as 3217 would create a non-functional
process and 3536 appears to be not in compliance with the Convention.
Assuming the reaffirmation occurs prior
to May 15th, all parties appear
willing to work together during the coming months with a goal of
supporting a single piece of legislation which would implement the
Convention. Joint Council will continue to lend its support to this
difficult yet exceedingly important work.
Mr. DiFilipo also conducted interviews
with CNN Radio and the New York Times regarding Guatemala adoptions in
the last week. During both interviews Joint Council focused on the
positive work being done to advance the cause of permanency for all
Guatemalan children and the need for continued social services for
children at risk.
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.
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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.
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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.
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The lack of
cooperation amongst agencies, thereby allowing for 'rejected' families
to simply shop for an agency willing to provide a positive HS.
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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
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Adoptive families
who abandon their Ukraine children while still in Ukraine
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Cases involving
adopted children visiting Ukraine and requesting to remain in Ukraine
as opposed to returning to the U.S. with their adoptive family
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Communication
between adoptive families and birth family (this is seen as a normal
and positive request/event)
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The legality of
summer camps (The APRC
desires to continue summer camp programs, but cannot do so under the
old protocols)
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.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED? WANT MORE INFORMATION?
- Donate online
to the International Relations Initiative.
- Or pledge your commitment to
the International Relations Initiative.
- Contact JCICS with any additional
questions.
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