Features
The Relationship Between Institutional Care and the International Adoption of Children in Europe suggests that, rather than reducing the number of children in institutions, international adoption may contribute to the continuation of this harmful practice. The study finds that international adoption does little for the development and transition of children’s services nationally and therefore increases a systemic emphasis on institutionalization for children.
Feinstein International Center has recently released the publication, Beyond men pikin: Improving Understanding of Post-conflict Child Fostering in Sierra Leone. Since the civil war ended in Sierra Leone, child fostering has become the preferred solution for the estimated 800,000+ orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children. This briefing paper examines the challenges around implementing formal foster care without a national framework as well as the gaps in child protection evidenced in informal fostering.