Response to the report of the Joustra Committee

Publication date: 10 February 2021

Written: Wednesday, February 10, 2021 2:23 PM

On Monday, February 8, the Joustra Committee published the results of their research into past intercountry adoptions. The Meiling Foundation received the report on Monday 8 February and took note of it.

We are shocked by the committee's findings and the contents of the report. The picture presented by the committee in the report is confrontational and the conclusions and recommendations are harsh. In response to this report, the cabinet has apologized and is adopting the committee's recommendations.

The Meiling Foundation emphasizes that every abuse in adoption, wherever and whenever, is one too many and can mean serious suffering for the person concerned.

The caretaker cabinet has decided to adopt the committee's recommendations and to suspend all intercountry adoptions immediately. Only prospective adoptive parents with a consent in principle may complete their procedure. This is a very serious measure with major, often emotional, consequences. Not only for aspiring adoptive parents, but also adult adoptees, adopted children, and adoptive parents.

The report of the committee provides a comprehensive picture of the research, the research results, conclusions and recommendations. However, it does not provide substantive and concrete information about how the committee arrived at its conclusions, especially when it comes to current adoption practice. This report therefore does not do justice to the adoption practice as experienced and advocated at the Meiling Foundation today. We have therefore asked the committee to share this information with us.

Moreover, the committee's hard and generalizing conclusion casts a shadow over all intercountry adoptions, which have provided a safe and loving home for many children in need. Adoptees, adoptive parents and adoption organizations are wrongly portrayed in a negative light.

The temporary suspension decision has a major impact on all adoptive parents who are currently in an adoption procedure. This report and this decision also raise many questions and emotions for them. We wish them much strength, patience and wisdom in the coming period.

In the coming period, the Meiling Foundation will endeavor to map out the consequences of this report and the cabinet decision and to guide prospective adoptive parents in their current procedure. The Meiling Foundation will continue to discuss the current situation and future of intercountry adoptions with the relevant ministries, other permit holders and chain partners.

* this message may only be quoted or included in full and in full.

Statement of cooperating licensees following the media reports

Written: Friday, 05 February 2021 10:22 PM

The permit holders for international adoption are shocked at the media reports that the government would be advised to (temporarily) stop Intercountry Adoptions.

The Committee on the Investigation of Intercountry Adoption in the Past has recently investigated the actual course of events surrounding old adoptions from abroad and the role of the Dutch government in this. This concerns the period 1967-1998, before the introduction of the Hague Adoption Convention. This report will be presented this Monday. The MAHs have not yet seen the report and have not been informed of its contents. The conclusions about the period (1967-1998) on which the investigation focused on the one hand, as well as the reason why the calls for the (temporary) halt of current procedures are therefore still unknown to us. For that reason, we will not yet discuss the content of the reporting.

It is central to the permit holders that the interests of the child are served by adoption and that international and national legislation and regulations regarding adoption can be implemented in a careful and substantiated manner.

On behalf of the cooperating permit holders (Wereldkinderen, the Dutch Adoption Foundation, Meiling Foundation and Adoption Foundation A New Way).

China channel intakes stop due to Corona

Written: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 7:41 PM

Worldwide adoption procedures from China have come to a standstill. Not only can you not travel to complete the adoptions and pick up the children, but also matching and submitting new family files is not possible. That is why we had to make the decision at the end of October to temporarily stop taking on new families.

The situation has not improved in the meantime. This means that we are now formalizing the intake stop. Family reports can no longer be submitted for adoptions from China. In principle, this situation is temporary, but much will depend on the international situation after the corona measures.

The parents who are already in proceedings will continue to do so. When we can restart the processes, we will continue for these parents. At that moment we will also see whether the intakes can start again. But at the moment we have no insight into when and how the Chinese adoption authority, CCCWA, will restart and it is not possible for us to give a good picture of a future adoption procedure for aspiring adoptive families.

So you can only register with Meiling if an adoption from Taiwan is possible. Do you have any questions about this? Mail or call our info line: info@meiling.nl or 06-13155727 on working days from 9-12 am

Call brothers for interview and photo shoot

Written: Friday, 09 October 2020, 8:43 PM

Which two boys want to collaborate on a new book about siblings in adoptive families? We already received many enthusiastic responses to our earlier call, but these were mainly sisters. At the moment we are still looking for a boy duo from the same adoptive family: two (adopted) brothers who are both between 15 and 21 years old. The central question is: What is it like to grow up together in an adoptive family?

Kinderpostzegels Nederlands and the Orange Fund have awarded a subsidy for the making of a book about brothers and sisters in adoptive and foster families, with attention also for the biological children in the family. In this book, Femmie Juffer, Lindy Popma, Monique Steenstra and photographer Lilian van Rooij let us hear the voices of young people who grow up together in an adoptive family. They previously made the book 'This house is a home - Growing up in a multicultural adoptive or foster family'.

In addition to interviews and photo portraits of the young people, the new book will contain a substantive chapter written by Femmie Juffer, professor emeritus of adoption and foster care studies. Scientific research is important here, as is practical experience. That is why we are very curious about the stories of the young people themselves.

Call

We are now looking for a boy duo: two brothers from the same adoptive family. That could be a duo of two adopted boys; it does not matter whether they are biologically related or not. It can also be a duo of an adopted boy together with a biological son of the adoptive parents. Finally, it can also be a duo of an adopted boy who grows up in the same adoptive family with a foster son.

The photographer and the interviewer come by and the young people receive a copy of the book 'This house is a home - Growing up in a multicultural adoptive or foster family'. The agreements are made in consultation. The photographer and interviewers observe the prescribed RIVM measures when taking the photos and during the interview.

Of course, the young people will receive the new book as soon as it is published, as well as their photo in a frame. The youngsters and adoptive parents also receive an invitation when a book presentation takes place.

As an adoptive parent or as an (adopted) young person, do you want to know more or sign up? Mail to Femmie Juffer: juffer@fsw.leidenuniv.nl

Meiling information evening 13 November 2020 is canceled

Written: Tuesday, 15 September 2020, 8:45 PM

In the last MeilingMailing we announced an information evening on Friday 13 November. Unfortunately, the board had to decide to postpone these plans as well.

The organization already ran into many rules and conditions in planning. And the situation around corona remains unstable. The health of the visitors and our volunteers is a priority for us, and that is why, unfortunately, no Meiling information evening.

We hope to see you again in good health in 2021.

Board Meiling

Foundation Adoption Facilities - Good start

Written: Monday, 18 May 2020, 8:42 PM

Adoptive parents can now register for 'Good start'. In three Tuesday evenings, attention is paid to the process of getting used to and bonding and the upbringing. How can we tell if our child feels safe with us? How do we deal with tantrums? These and other questions from the participants are discussed. There is also time to exchange experiences with other adoptive parents. First meeting is on October 6. Other dates October 27 and November 17 in Houten.

More information

Meilingdag 2020 is canceled

Written: Friday, 15 May 2020 2:52 PM

Every year, Meiling Day on the 3rd Saturday of September is attended by many aspiring adoptive parents, families with children and adoption organizations. Last year we celebrated a wonderful 30th anniversary together in Aviodrome.

Meiling is aware of the risky situation we find ourselves in due to the corona virus. The health of the visitors to the Meiling Day and our volunteers is a priority for us, which is why we have decided to cancel the Meiling Day this year.

We hope to meet you in good health again in 2021 in September on the Meiling Day or perhaps earlier at a Meiling information evening.

Board Meiling.

Information evening on Friday 13 March is unfortunately canceled

Written: Sunday, 08 March 2020, 8:34 PM

We have decided not to let the Information Evening Beautifully take place. We have decided this in consultation with the Board of Meiling.

The developments with the Covid19 virus are too worrisome at the moment.

We hope for your understanding.

A new date will follow later in the year.

Vacancy Chairman

Written: Sunday, 16 February 2020 2:41 PM

Do you have a helicopter view and do you want to use your talents for adoption; then we have come to the right place. The Meiling Foundation is looking for a new chairman. It is a voluntary position, or unpaid.

The chairman deals with:

Strategy and policy

Collaboration and consultation with other licensees

External relations such as the Ministry, Inspectorate and Adoption Facilities

The chairman chairs the General Board meeting and the OOM (Operational Consultation Meiling) meeting

The chairman is part of the board of Meiling.

The board is responsible for:

The strategy and policy

The organisation

Finance and

The development of Meiling, partly in relation to the developing field of international adoptions.

Job description

Taking initiatives

Coordinate and carry out administrative activities

Representation of the organization in and out

Participation in board meetings and operational consultations with the various internal teams, such as the country teams

Participation in consultations with other permit holders, the Ministry or Adoption Facilities about, among other things, legislation and regulations

Contributing to good external accountability, for example in an annual report, annual accounts, quality mark and license.

Contributing to the development of strategy and policy.

What do we need:

Minimum HBO thinking and working level

Policy or managerial experience

A strong personality

Preferably someone with knowledge of, experience with and / or affinity with adoption

What do we offer:

Challenging and varied work in an organization with many committed and motivated fellow volunteers within the fascinating context of intercountry adoptions.

Average time spent:

The monthly board meeting and once every 2 months an OOM meeting (currently) take place on Tuesday and Wednesday evening respectively, centrally in the country. 1x per 2 months consultation with permit holders and the adoption chain. Time commitment in addition, a number of hours per week.

Send your motivation or for more information an email to: hr@meiling.nl

Vacancy General board member

Written: Sunday, 16 February 2020 2:40 PM

We are looking for a new board member to broaden the board. It is a voluntary position, or unpaid.

The board is responsible for the strategy and policy, the organization, finances and the development of the Meiling Foundation, partly in relation to the developing field of international adoptions.

In addition, the board is also involved in cooperation with other permit holders and external relations such as the Ministry, Inspectorate and Adoption Facilities.

Job description

Contributing to the development of strategy and policy

Participation in board meetings and operational consultations with the various internal teams, such as the country teams

Participation in consultations with other permit holders, ministry or adoption facilities about, among other things, legislation and regulations

Contributing to good external accountability, for example in an annual report, annual accounts, quality mark and license

Point of contact for one or more teams within Meiling

Coordinating tasks

Ccommunication internal or external.

What do we need:

Minimum HBO thinking and working level

Preferably someone with:

Knowledge of, experience with and / or affinity with adoption

Policy or managerial experience

What do we offer:

Challenging and varied work in an organization with many committed and motivated fellow volunteers within the fascinating context of intercountry adoptions.

Average time spent:

The monthly board meeting and once every 2 months an OOM meeting (currently) take place on Tuesday and Wednesday evening respectively, centrally in the country. In addition, the time spent varies and in consultation.

Send your motivation or for more information an email to: hr@meiling.nl

CSS stops international adoptions

Written: Sunday, 16 February 2020 2:37 PM

On February 6, CSS (Christian Salvation Services Taiwan) has notified us that it will stop international adoptions. In recent years, the current Taiwanese government has investigated the possibilities of achieving more domestic adoptions. A child file is always first placed on a domestic platform. Only after it is clear that there are no possibilities for domestic adoption, international adoption is an option.

CSS has indicated that adoption rules in Taiwan are increasingly incompatible with the Christian mission of CSS (which, for example, sets requirements for adoptive parents' backgrounds). They are not prepared to meet these government requirements. The current permit, which expires in April 2020, will therefore not be renewed after this period.

The Taiwan team has been in close contact with CSS to discuss this situation and the consequences for the various parties involved. In addition, all those directly involved have been personally informed about this situation. CSS has explicitly stated that stopping international adoptions currently has no consequences for roots finding, root travel or sending follow-up reports. So it is still important to send follow-up reports.

We have heard from all our contacts that it is still very difficult to find enough parents in Taiwan. Over the past year we have been building three new contacts (Chong Yi, Garden of Hope and the Good Shepherd). We are now ready to send the first parent files to Chong Yi. The other new authorities will probably follow within a few months.

We realize that this message has a huge impact for many families and children involved in CSS. If there are any questions regarding this situation, the Taiwan team can be contacted:

css.taiwan@meiling.nl .

Central waiting list for Taiwan abolished

Written: Thursday, 02 January 2020 9:14 PM

Dear (prospective) adoptive parents,

The central waiting list for Taiwan has recently been discontinued.

After the intake with the Special Needs team, parents who apply for adoption from Taiwan can go directly to a country contact person (LCP)

for the country intake .

The Taiwan team is increasingly receiving child files from Taiwan from older children (> 36 months) for whom we have no parents on our waiting list. Sometimes this also involves siblings. This often concerns children with a socially burdened background (drugs / alcohol use, psychiatric disorder / intellectual disability, birth family, etc.) but who often have normal development or a slight developmental delay. Hepatitis is also a condition that we increasingly see.

Foster care is a developed concept in Taiwan and the homes are also of good quality. This means that in most cases the children received the care and therapy they needed.

If you have valid consent in principle and a family report in which the above items are described, we cordially invite you to contact the Taiwan team. ( Taiwanteam@meiling.nl )

Kind regards on behalf of the Taiwan team

New data course 'Adoption Pubers'

Written: Sunday, 15 December 2019, 7:30 PM

Adoptive parents of (pre) adolescents can now register for the course 'Adoption Pubers'. In three evenings we will pay attention to puberty and upbringing in general and to adoption-related topics such as identity and loyalty, emotions surrounding giving up and searching for roots. You will receive tips on how to help your adolescent deal with questions and how to improve communication with your child. Three courses are open for registration, starting dates: January 7, March 3 and May 12, 2020 in Houten.

More information.

Meiling Foundation

Written: Sunday, 07 October 2012 17:52

Meiling Foundation

Goals

Founded in 1989, the Meiling Foundation is a voluntary organization of adoptive parents. Meiling's goal is to stand up for needy children in other countries. We do this by mediating in intercountry adoption for children who have little or no future opportunities in their own country of birth and by providing project help for the children who stay behind in those countries.

Meiling strives for a responsible working method and optimal guidance in intercountry adoption mediation. This before, during and after the adoption procedure.

Backgrounds to adoption

There can be several reasons why children qualify for foreign adoption. In general, the children have little or no future possibilities. In addition, when the possibilities for adoption in their own country are lacking, they are eligible for foreign adoption.

Parents to children

Meiling is looking for parents for children through adoption mediation. And therefore no children for parents. The best interests of the child come first, but of course we also want to make parents happy with their child. For this reason, we make a special effort for those children for whom it is difficult to find parents. For example, both healthy children and children with a medical report come to the Netherlands through Meiling. This can be anything: prematurity, an operable disability (e.g. cleft lip, club feet) or a permanent disability (e.g. missing finger, asthma, intestinal disorders).