There are four major categories of outcomes from the inaugural Intercountry Adoption Summit, held September 23-26, 2010 in Stratford, Ontario. The categories are:

• Summaries of prepared responses to the seven questions that guided the roundtable discussions
• Summaries of the outcomes of the roundtable discussions
• Recommended Action Items for the future of intercountry adoption
• Videos of the public and academic presentations (includes selected downloadable presentations in pdf format)

SUMMARIES OF PREPARED RESPONSES TO THE SEVEN QUESTIONS THAT GUIDED THE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS

Roundtable discussions were formulated around these seven questions. Delegates were asked to provide answers to these questions prior to the Summit. Those summaries are available by clicking on the links following the question.

• What are the major problems your country faces in regards to intercountry adoption? (summary of prepared responses to this question)
• What is the immediate future trend of intercountry adoption in your country? (summary of prepared responses to this question)
• In what direction would you like to see intercountry adoption move in your country? (summary of prepared responses to this question)
• What are the barriers to moving in the desired direction for intercountry adoption in your country? (summary of prepared responses to this question)
• What recommendations do you and your government have for intercountry adoption in your country? (summary of prepared responses to this question)
• How can other countries help your country accomplish these recommendations? (summary of prepared responses to this question)
• How can researchers, scholars, and the international academic community help your country accomplish these recommendations? (summary of prepared responses to this question)

 

SUMMARIES OF THE OUTCOMES OF THE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS

The downloadable pdf below is a summary of the roundtable discussions that occurred on Thursday, September, 23, 2010 at the Intercountry Adoption Summit 2010.

 
The summary statements are organized based on the topic sessions (see general program). Delegates who participated in the discussions represented a wide cross-section of individuals and organizations involved in intercountry adoption, ranging from government officials, adoption service providers, adoption practitioners, adoptive parents, adoptees, and adoption researchers. Among these delegates were individuals with experience in and lending voice to 23 different countries of origin and receiving countries participated. For a list of those organizations who participated in the roundtable discussions, click on the Confirmed Attendees link.

There is no attempt to reconcile the summary statements as they represent a summary of what emerged out of the discussions. They provide a common ground from which to form recommended action items as well as the diversity of opinion and experience of those present.

Click to download: Intercountry Adoption Summit 2010 Roundtable Discussion Summaries

 

RECOMMENDED ACTION ITEMS FOR THE FUTURE OF INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION

These following 46 recommended action items spread across 17 different categories are the result of a series of roundtable discussions held at the Intercountry Adoption Summit 2010 in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. The discussions centred on problems, trends, directions, barriers and recommendations to intercountry adoption. A summary of the problems, trends, directions, and barriers is available in another document. Four two-hour roundtable discussions were held on Thursday, September 23, 2010 and Friday, September 24, 2010.

The delegates who participated in the discussions represented a wide cross-section of individuals and organizations involved in intercountry adoption, ranging from government officials, adoption service providers, adoption practitioners, adoptive parents, adoptees, and adoption researchers. Among these delegates were individuals with experience in and lending voice to 23 different countries of origin and receiving countries participated. For a list of those organizations who participated in the roundtable discussions, click on the Confirmed Attendees link.

These recommended action items demonstrate a clear agreement that significant changes are required in Intercountry Adoption globally and in its system of delivery.  The following represent the most prominent suggestions from the Summit for new approaches, expanded support and action by agencies, governments, and others involved in the inter-country adoptive process.

Inclusion of items on this list does not imply unanimous or even majority support for any specific suggestion. 

Click to download: Intercountry Adoption Summit 2010 Recommended Action Items