JCICS update - UNICEF revises position on in-process adoptions!

10/8 - Through direct dialogue with UNICEF headquarters in New York, Joint Council confirms that on Friday, October 5, 2007, UNICEF updated its stated position on intercountry adoption to reference the best interest of the child during a country’s transition to full implementation of the Hague Convention. UNICEF now states, “UNICEF urges national authorities to ensure that, during the transition to full implementation of the Hague Convention, the best interests of each individual child are protected.”

Joint Council applauds the inclusion of this critically important issue into the intercountry adoption position statement of UNICEF. The revised version of UNICEF’s position on intercountry adoption can be found in its entirety at http://www.unicef.org/media/media_41118.html.

While the revision of UNICEF’s stated policy is a major step in the right direction, Joint Council will continue to urge UNICEF to revise the full text of their statement through the elimination of prejudicial phrases and the inclusion of concise, clear and supportive statements. It should be noted that in our dialogue with UNICEF, the revised statement is meant as a global position statement and can be utilized in any country transitioning to full Hague implementation.