Simone and Romina are waiting for a paper. For 8 months they have been waiting for a paper document that allows them to adopt a child in Kenya. A wait that is paradoxically approaching the time of a real pregnancy. They have already prepared and delivered all the documents months ago: photographic dossier, social condition, economic report... Kenya has not created any obstacles, but has asked the Italian International Adoptions Commission for a simple certificate confirming that Aibi, the association through which Simone and Romina intend to adopt, is authorized to operate. That paper, however, never arrived. «Everything is at a standstill – says Simone – we made four written reminders, phone calls, emails… Nothing».
The problem is that dozens of other Italian couples find themselves in Simone and Romina's situation. There are associations waiting for authorisation, others for renewal of accreditation, still others for the conclusion of the adoption process: the adoption machinery seems jammed, in Rome everything is silent.
«United for adoption», the representation that brings together 45 of the 62 associations that are authorized to operate in Italy, sent a letter to the CAI at the end of September to resolve the situation, but did not receive a response. And yesterday it met to decide what actions to take. «Since the new commission took office we have no longer been able to have continuous relationships – denounces Pietro Ardizzi, spokesperson for the representation -. Beyond a plenary meeting, which took place in July, the tables on taxation, on the procedures of the guidelines and on individual countries have disappeared. But we have to work with families, in a very delicate sector: any bureaucratic delay is a serious problem." Simple long-winded things? Particular attention and controls by the Cai in an always high-risk sector?