Intercountry adoption

Intercountry adoptions have considerably increased during the last 30 years. The number of adoption applicants currently exceeds the number of adoptable children worldwide. As a result, applicants resort to illegal adoption practices, which in many cases do not focus on the interests of the child, but the wishes of the adoption applicants.

International standards which meet the needs of the child already exist. ISS German Branch has taken an active part in developing them. However, it is indispensable to ensure that those international rules are complied with, and to improve them. The basic idea is not that parents are looking for a child, but children are looking for parents.

ISS German Branch

• contributes to international developments by participating in international bodies, such as the Council of Europe and the Hague Conference on Private International Law.
• submits statements and recommendations, observing and commenting on the development and implementation of draft laws.
• offers training and advice for professionals.