Parental Memoirs of Family Formation

Global Adoptee Memoirs of Family

Silences: Birth Parents in Global Adoption

A Child Returned

© dailymail.co.uk/ (May, 2012)

The National Child “We must, as much as possible, keep our children in our country, and keep them safe here.” Pavel A. Astakhov, Children’s Ombudsman, Russia (April, 2010)

The National Child Recognising that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding, … Recognising that intercountry adoption may offer the advantage of a permanent family to a child for whom a suitable family cannot be found in his or her State of origin… Hague Convention on Inter-Country Adoption, Preamble

The National Child “For nearly 20 years, there has been adoption by Americans of Russian children, but until now, there has been no agreement. That is just wrong. We seem to have arrived at that moment when we need to prove that we know how to agree on not only nuclear missiles and atomic bombs, but also on the needs of children.” Pavel A. Astakhov, Children’s Ombudsman, Russia(April, 2010)

The Precious Child “Adoptions will continue. We only want guarantees for the lives and the safety of our children abroad. Because we are giving to American families the most precious thing for us: our children.” Pavel A. Astakhov, Children’s Ombudsman, Russia(April, 2010)

The Precious Child “Adoption is a wonderful way for many orphaned children to find a loving, permanent home. Orphans in both the United States and in countries across the globe deserve families who will love and provide for them. I am proud that Americans respond to this need internationally. Each year our nation welcomes more children into homes through intercountry adoption than any other nation.” U.S. Dept. of State, Office of Children’s Issues

Karen Bleier/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton and the Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov signing the agreement in Washington on Wednesday.