About
These newsletters propose an analysis of the latest developments in matters of adoption and the protection of children deprived of their families. Each issue offers an editorial section with free access, updated information about the evolution of law and practice both at the international level and in particular countries. The publication engages itself in certain ethical debates, studies interdisciplinary resources, and proposes a reading suggestion. Its last page draws attention to relevant conferences and seminars of international interest. Each two months, the Newsletter is distributed to more than 5000 professionals across the world.
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Introduction
When designing and implementing laws or policies, how can we ensure the effective participation and contribution of concerned key actors, such as families, caregivers, communities but foremost children themselves?
It most definitely starts by recognising the key role these actors play in the realisation of children’s rights, including preventing unnecessary separations of the child from his/her family and providing suitable care for children in need of alternative care. Whether this concerns actors in the community (see article in the next edition of the Newsletter N° 268), kinship or foster carers (see pages 8 and 12), each play a crucial role when it comes to protecting children in and out-of-care and should as such be able to count on the effective support provided by the child protection system in place.
Whether it is in the field of alternative care or adoption, the insights provided by persons with lived experiences – as diverse they might be – are rightfully given increased traction. But how can we go a step ahead in child participation, moving towards working with children rather than for children as still prevalent in many contexts, hence ensuring article 12 CRC is fully implemented in practice? This surely requires constant reflection on our own biases and work methods.
In this Newsletter, you will find several promising practices that aim at actively involving children in law or policy design and implementation. Innovative research projects such as Children’s Voices in Surrogacy Law (see page 15) in the UK show us that gathering children’s views on complex issues such as surrogacy is possible and can facilitate valuable and much-needed contributions.
IRC team
August 2023
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