Outcomes of Delegation to Ethiopia - 23 December 2010
23 December 2010
Outcomes of Delegation to Ethiopia - 23 December 2010
A delegation comprising officers of the Attorney-General’s Department and the NSW Department of Human Services, Community Services travelled to Ethiopia from 5-16 December 2010.
Together with the Australian Ambassador to Ethiopia, the delegation took the opportunity on behalf of all Australian Central Authorities to thank outgoing Australian Representatives Ato Lakew Gebeyehu and Woz Misrak Getahun for their long and dedicated service. Ato Lakew and Woz Misrak will continue to provide care to the small number of children that remain in Koala House and see their cases through to completion.
The delegation conducted formal interviews for a new Australian Representative in Ethiopia. The Department hopes to be in a position to make an announcement regarding this position shortly. The delegation also held discussions with an experienced adoption service provider in Ethiopia about providing administrative and ancillary services necessary for the ethical and effective management of the program. Further work will be carried out to finalise these new arrangements, including for background checking and managing development assistance projects.
The delegation met the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs to discuss the Ethiopia-Australia intercountry adoption program working arrangements in Ethiopia. Both Ministries expressed support for the ongoing working relationship between the governments of Australia and Ethiopia. It was agreed we will continue to operate under the existing 1994 arrangement while working to update the documentation to better reflect contemporary practices in both countries.
The delegation also met officers from a number of embassies and NGOs. In discussions, it was noted that the Ethiopian governments at both the federal and regional levels are examining closely various aspects of intercountry adoption in Ethiopia, including the activities of some adoption service providers and the operations of orphanages throughout the country.
Representatives of the Grace Children’s Centre confirmed with the delegation that they have still not been successful in getting an orphanage licence. The Department will continue to follow this up.
The delegation travelled to a district south of Addis Ababa where they visited several orphanages and observed a number of community development projects, including a water well which provides safe drinking water for thousands of families. The delegation also met with a previous recipient of a sponsorship program who has developed a thriving business and is now fostering a child.
The Department will continue to prioritise ongoing improvements to the Ethiopia-Australia intercountry adoption program. Further announcements will be made early in 2011.