International Reference Center for the rights of сhildren deprived of their family

The International Reference Centre for the rights of children deprived of their family (IRC) is a programme of the General Secretariat of International Social Service (ISS), which is based in Geneva.

goal

Since 1993, the ISS/IRC has been actively developing and implementing international standards relating to the alternative care of children deprived of their family or at risk of being so and adoption.

It promotes the exchange of knowledge, experience, and dialogue between professionals of governmental and non-governmental agencies throughout the world. The ISS/IRC’s principal goal is to equip alternative care and adoption professionals on the ground by developing resources and highlighting promising practices. Likewise, it aims to raise awareness of the need to protect children’s rights within the analytical framework of international standards in an ever-changing environment. More than 5000 professionals in countries of origin and receiving countries directly benefit from the ISS/IRC services.

annie-spratt-qMvcuYEPnO0-unsplash

Supporting children & families

Protecting children

A greater protection of children

deprived of their family or at risk of being so, in need of adoption or already adopted.

A global policy

for children and the family

The ratification and application of international conventions

Knowledge exchange

The acquaintance/knowledge, exchange of experience, contact, dialogue and collaboration between professionals of governmental and non-governmental agencies throughout the world.

IRC CORE PRINCIPLES

All the IRC services and activities are based on the following principles



Services

Over the years, ISS/IRC has developed a large range of services aimed at supporting its beneficiaries

Newsletter

These Newsletter propose an analysis of the latest developments in matters of adoption and the protection of children deprived of their family. Each issue offers an editorial section with free access, updated information about the evolution of law and practice both at the international level and in particular countries. The publication engages itself in certain ethical debates, studies interdisciplinary resources, and proposes a reading suggestion. Its last page draws attention to relevant conferences and seminars of international interest. Each two months, the Newsletter is distributed to more than 5000 professionals across the world and is only available for ISS/IRC beneficiaries.

Expertise and handling of requests

The ISS/IRC provides technical support based on its expertise for its professional partners, particularly Central Authorities. It answers requests for information, documentation or advice about general legislation, practices, protagonists and resources (experts, training centres, etc.) relating to children deprived of family. More than 100 requests are answered each year.

Situation analysis

Each year, the ISS/IRC publishes 18 country reports containing an in-depth analysis of the alternative care and adoption system of a given country. These reports present the main legislation, principal stakeholders, practices, and risks for the rights of the children deprived of their family. The ISS/IRC team analyses the progresses made by the countries but also the challenges that remain to be addressed in order to fulfil the right of each child to live in his/her family or when this is not possible to live in a permanent family-based solution. These reports are only accessible to the ISS members and the adoption central authorities supporting the ISS/IRC.

Conferences, forums and seminars

IRC regularly participates to national and international conferences, forums and seminars. It promotes and defends the rights of children deprived of their family and shares good practices (see ISS advocacy activities).

Studies, analyses and investigations

IRC regularly disseminates thematic analysis through circulars to its network. These analyses are only available to IRC beneficiaries who are the Central Adoption Authorities.

Comprehensive studies are also done in collaboration with external partners and are available under: Publications.

Cooperation with international organisations
  • Committee on the Rights of the Child: for each Committee pre-session meeting, IRC addresses (when it is relevant) fact sheets regarding the rights of children deprived of their family and adoption in the countries concerned. These documents allow Committee members to have a concise vision of these issues and discuss them with the countries concerned.
  • African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child: through its new observatory status, ISS ensures exchanges of information with the Committee concerning subjects of common interest such as adoption and alternative measures
  • Hague Conference on Private International Law: exchanges with the Permanent Bureau take place throughout the year. One collaboration example is the IRC director’s participation to the “Expert Group on the Financial Aspects of Intercountry Adoption” and to issues related to international surrogacy.
Training tools

IRC has published a set of training tools such as fact sheets or guidelines. These documents are available under: Publications and Thematic Fact Sheets

Documentation center
For several years now, the ISS/IRC has built up a bibliographical database that collects publications and texts of both a psychosocial and legal nature and which deal with themes and countries, essentially in English, French and Spanish. The Database is available in the bibliographical database.


Strategic evaluation of the IRC (2021)

Available in English (French and Spanish versions to be followed soon)



Beneficiaries

Throughout the world, the IRC deals with agencies and professionals whose function is to protect children deprived of their family

Authorities & professionals
of receiving countries

Authorities & professionals in countries of origin regarding intercountry adoption

m-t-elgassier-G_acucnTJNw-unsplash

IRC constituents & members

International organisations

PROJECT's SUCCESS

Currently, more than 3500 professionals and NGOs from 160 countries are benefiting from part or all ISS/IRC services.

Please note

The ISS/IRC is not an Adoption Accredited Body and therefore does not provide direct services to prospective adoptive parents.

Our website is still under development including translations.

Thank you for your understanding.

Notre site Web est encore en cours de développement, y compris les traductions.

Merci pour votre compréhension.

Nuestro sitio web aún está en construcción, incluidas las traducciones.

Gracias por su comprensión.