As part of the 5th anniversary of the law reforming adoption, the Embassy of France in Haiti and the Institute of Social Welfare and Research (IBESR) are organizing from October 1st to 3rd, 2018 at the Montana Hotel of workshops for the exchange of good practices and reflection on the protection of children in vulnerable situations.

Led by three experts from the International Social Service, including the former director of the Central Adoption Authority of Burkina Faso, these workshops bring together a panel of about fifty professionals: IBESR employees (psychologists, social workers, lawyers ), magistrates, heads of children's homes and representatives of adoption organizations.

In the light of their experiences and practical cases, these professionals question the identification and decision-making of children in vulnerable situations, including the implementation of protective measures in accordance with the best interests of the child.

These workshops are also an opportunity to take stock of the implementation of the law reforming adoption and identify persistent weaknesses. Recall that this law has made it possible to bring Haitian legislation into line with international standards (Hague Convention 1993 / International Convention on the Rights of the Child) by establishing an ethical framework to govern adoption.

The implementation of the principle of subsidiarity of intercountry adoption (prioritization of national solutions), as well as the fundamental right of the child to live in a family rather than in an institution, will be at the heart of the exchanges.

This activity confirms France's commitment to strengthening the Haitian child protection system. Since 2009, France has supported more than 1.8 million US dollars the Haitian authorities and particularly the IBESR in the implementation of policies to fight against family separations, the promotion of alternative care solutions family and community and reform of the adoption system.

These three days of workshops are carried out thanks to the financial support of the International Adoption Mission of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs as well as the non-governmental organizations Terre des Hommes Lausanne and SOS Children's Villages Haiti.

HL/ HaitiLibre