A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON ADOPTIONS

1. NAC WORKSHOP 2012 - Presented by K Pieterse A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON ADOPTIONS

2. 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

3. Ubuntu a global perspective Norway Dugnad Russia Krugoaya Poruka North America Wakan Tanka North America Peyote UK Gaia Theory China Confucianism Japan Kyosei Arab World Tatawa’a India Karma Senegal Teranga South America Inkarri Tanzania Ujamaa Australia Dreaming RSA Ubuntu Ubuntu is an African word for a universal concept of community, humanity and connectedness

4. 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.

5. 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”

6. 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. .

7. History 1940 Europe 1995 – 1998 Russia 1940 North America Adopted from Europe as Result of 2nd World war Early 90’s Romania 1995 - 1998 China 1970 S/Korea, Thailand, Chile, India 2003-2010 Ethiopia, Russia China Guatemala 1980 India 1980 South America/Columbia 2003 – 2010 Guatemala 2003 – 2010 2003 – 5% of children came from Africa 2009 – 22% of children came from Africa

8. More recent global trends

9. Numbers in Africa

10. 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?

11. From challenges……………… LACK OF SYSTEMS & PROCESSES CULTURE VERSUS HISTORICAL PRACTICES

12. …………to solutions Cultural Identity Intense and comprehensive National Child care and protection system

13. 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

14. Global Citizen (World Community) Africa (Continent) South Africa (Patriotism) Community & Tribe Cultural Identity & Context No one is able to create an identity for themselves without some understanding of their cultural context: Family & Ancestors Child

15. 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.