Publication Announcement – November 2023
A History of EurAdopt : 30 years of intercountry adoption in the best interests of children
EURADOPT, a membership organisation of adoption accredited bodies, has celebrated its 30th
Anniversary in 2023. To mark this milestone EurAdopt is publishing a history of its formation and
how, over the past three decades, it has fulfilled its mission: in essence to ensure that intercountry
adoptions are conducted to the highest ethical standards, with respect to the rights of all parties and
with the child’s best interests as the paramount consideration.
“A History of EurAdopt: 30 years of intercountry adoption in the child’s best interests” , written by
Gill Haworth OBE and Peter Selman Ph.D., draws on the recollections and records of former Chairs
of EurAdopt, meeting records, position papers, archive materials, articles and other papers in print.
EurAdopt was born out of European adoption agencies’ profound concern over the intercountry
adoption practices globally in the mid- 20th century. Then, intercountry adoption was largely
unregulated and there was inconsistency of States laws, procedures and professional fees, all of
which risked commoditising the children concerned. Initially, EurAdopt was a collaborative network
which became a formal non-governmental organisation in March 1993, when twenty agencies from
nine countries endorsed a set of ethical principles which underpinned their collective practice and
which they would endorse to the wider intercountry adoption community. EurAdopt had influence in
the sessions which has shaped The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in
Respect of Intercountry Adoption 1993, and after its implementation.
Through its member agencies, some of whom have mediated intercountry adoptions for over 50
years, EurAdopt has a longer view of intercountry adoption as a child protective measure for some of
the world’s most vulnerable children. EurAdopt member agencies have, together, mediated over
72,000 intercountry adoptions since its formation and have continued to support those children and
their families thereafter.
Gill Haworth points out that “this publication captures EurAdopt’s path to an unparalleled expertise
in providing adoption mediation and specialist adoption support services developed and delivered by
those with lived experience and places it in historical context.”
In the opinion of one adoption professional with lived experience of intercountry adoption, “Children
adopted from overseas are some of the world’s most disadvantaged and at risk children. EurAdopt’s
focus on ethical placements has been at the forefront of protecting these children. Equally advocating
now for the children as they grow and their adoptive families, the focus on post adoption is
enhancing service provision across Europe.”
The number of intercountry adoptions has declined significantly .since the mid-2000s but Haworth
argues that “ EurAdopt members’ adoption expertise is as relevant as ever with the balance of
agencies’ services moving away from adoption mediation towards post adoption support services
for those affected by intercountry adoption.”
Notes: Gill Haworth OBE is Chair of EurAdopt and founder of Coram IAC, UK
Peter Selman Ph.D. is Visiting Fellow, University of Newcastle, UK
Contact: Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or to request a soft copy of:
“A History of EurAdopt : 30 years of intercountry adoption in the best interests of children”
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