A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON ADOPTIONS

NAC WORKSHOP 2012 - Presented by K Pieterse

Our Starting Point

“Each individual’s humanity is ideally expressed through his or her relationship with others. Ubuntu means that people are people through

other people. It also acknowledges both the rights and the responsibilities of every citizen in promoting individual and societal well-being.”

(Government White Paper on Ubuntu)

Ubuntu, the African humanist philosophy of community and humanity, states that ‘no child could be left without a family’

Universal agreement that children should grow up in families

Ubuntu a global perspective

RSAUbuntu

JapanKyosei

UKGaia Theory

NorwayDugnad

Arab WorldTatawa’a

RussiaKrugoaya

Poruka

SenegalTeranga

TanzaniaUjamaa

AustraliaDreaming

ChinaConfucianism

IndiaKarma

South AmericaInkarri

NorthAmericaPeyote

NorthAmerica

Wakan Tanka

Ubuntu is an African word for a universal concept of community, humanity and connectedness

Ubuntu from a child perspective

• UBUNTU = A loving home• Despite the global practice UBUNTU, the reality is that the

number of vulnerable children are on the increase

• The reality of prevailing circumstances such as disasters, wars, HIV pandemic, poverty and other diseases have destabilized the traditional care and child protection system leaving many children without parental care and protection.

• For many children, HOME in not a place of loving care and long lasting relationships, rather it has become a place of risk.

Why is there a need for adoptions?

• In South Africa specifically, we face the reality that at the least two and half million children may be in socially and economically vulnerable positions that require alternative care or protective arrangements to be made. Of this number, more than 10.3 million children benefit from a child support grant, and 560,718 foster child grants are provided. (2 mil orphans)

• We need an integrated response focussing on :• Strong Child Protection System

• Family Preservation

• Community based family care options

• Continuum of Alternative Care “strong domestic adoption programs”

•

Adoptions and ‘Intercountry Adoption’• Although a variety of responses is required to address this growing

number of vulnerable children, adoption and intercountry adoption has become an alternative for many children across the world.

• Adoption is a placement of a child in a permanent care of a person who is not his / her biological parent or permanent guardian.

• “The main purpose of adoption is to protect and nurture the child by providing a safe, healthy environment with positive support and to promote the goals of permanency planning by connecting a child to another safe and nurturing family relationship to last a lifetime.

• Intercountry adoptions is one of a range of care options which may be open to children in need of families.

• Intercountry adoption has evolved in many different ways

• Year 2000- over 30 000 children moving between 100 countries.

.

History

2003 – 20102003 – 5% of children came from Africa

2009 – 22% of children came from Africa

1940

Europe

1995 – 1998Russia

1995 - 1998China

1980India

1980South

America/Columbia

1940North

AmericaAdopted from Europe as Result of 2nd World war

1970S/Korea, Thailand, Chile,

India

Early 90’sRomania

2003 – 2010Guatemala

2003-2010Ethiopia, Russia

ChinaGuatemala

More recent global trends

Numbers in Africa

What is the trend

• It evolves and it is a response to a need at a specific time.

• Reasons for changes- social economic transformation, domestic adoptions, suspension.

• Globally international adoptions are down, however, they are up in Africa

• Inter country adoptions from Africa was rare , now 22% of children placed are from Africa.

• South Africa’s reality is that there is a huge gap between the number of adoptable children and the actual adoption statistics.

• What does that mean and how do we respond to this?

From challenges………………

LACK OF SYSTEMS &PROCESSES

CULTURE VERSUSHISTORICALPRACTICES

…………to solutions

Intense and comprehensive National Child care and

protection systemCultural Identity

Comprehensive National child care and Protection

• The need for an integrated child protection system– Developed from a child’s perspective– Continuum of care options that ensure permanency to a child deprived of a

family environment– Existing family structures must be strengthened to enable them to take care

of their children– Qualified people (skills & behaviours)– Resources – to deal with current challenges– Investment – to focus on prevention and early intervention– Supporting legislation– Monitoring, measurement and evaluation

Cultural Identity & ContextNo one is able to create an identity for themselves without some understanding of their cultural context:

South Africa(Patriotism)

Africa(Continent)

Global Citizen(World Community)

Community & Tribe

Family & Ancestors

Child

Conclusion

• It is important to view our reality not just from within but also within a global context.

• The majority of cultures and countries across the world believe in the philosophy that no child should be left without a home.

• We need to acknowledge and embrace the reality of our children and not be scared of possible solutions.

• Going Forward:• Develop and strengthen our systems and processes.

• Define and establish our culture based on its real strength and potential.