CALL TO ACTION!!!

I have yet to meet my newest niece or nephew. He/She is an Ethiopian orphan awaiting placement in his/her forever home. Unfortunately, due to corruption w/i the adoption processes in their country they are taking "unnecessary and disproportionate" measures that will in essence cut adoptions back by 90%!!!

This requires a CALL TO ACTION!

Please take a brief moment to sign a petition that will be sent to the Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi. It could mean the difference between children "languishing in poverty" or possibly not receiving the care they need to survive. PLEASE give just a minute of your time by clicking here in the hopes of saving many, many children...including my sweet nephew/niece. Thank you!!!

March 7, 2011 Statement on the Pending Reduction of Intercountry Adoption in Ethiopia Last week the Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs announced their intention to reduce intercountry adoptions by 90% beginning March 10, 2011. The Ministry’s plan for a dramatic reduction is apparently based on two primary issues; 1) the assumption that corruption in intercountry adoption is systemic and rampant and 2) the Ministry’s resources should be focused on the children for whom intercountry adoption is not an option. Without further announcements by the Government of Ethiopia, it is our understanding that the Ministry’s plan will be initiated this week. The Ministry’s plan is a tragic, unnecessary and disproportionate reaction to concerns of isolated abuses in the adoption process and fails to reflect the overwhelmingly positive, ethical and legal services provided to children and families through intercountry adoption. Rather than eliminate the right of Ethiopian children to a permanent family, we encourage the Ministry to accept the partnerships offered by governments, NGOs, and foundations. Such partnerships could increase the Ministry’s capacity to regulate service providers and further ensure ethical adoptions. The Ministry’s plan, which calls for the processing of only five adoption cases per work day, will result not only in systemic and lasting damage to a large sector of social services, but will have an immediate impact on the lives and futures of children. Moving from over 4,000 adoptions per year to less than 500 will result in thousands of children languishing in under-regulated and poorly resourced institutions for years. For those children who are currently institutionalized and legally available for adoption, the Ministry’s plan will increase their time languishing in institutions for up to 7-years. Joint Council respectfully urges the Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs to reconsider their plan and to partner with governments, NGOs and foundations to achieve their goals and avoid the coming tragedy for children and families.