Legal empowerment is an approach to access to justice that views individuals as capable of making decisions and resolving conflicts, thereby reinforcing the exercise of personal freedoms. To implement legal empowerment for children, it is essential to adopt an approach that trusts their capacity to make decisions when given the right tools. This means constantly training staff so they can assist effectively and ensure children can evaluate the information they receive — rather than simply following instructions.

In 2023, intercountry adoption (ICA) stood at a crossroads, shaped by both evolving child protection priorities and a wave of State-led investigations into past adoption practices. This article seeks to provide an analysis of intercountry adoption trends for 2023, comparing them with data from previous years, examining the profile of adopted children, and situating these developments within broader child protection and reform dynamics.

This article offers a summary of recent research by the ISS/IRC team on the right of adoptees and birth siblings to their origins. While much attention has focused on birth parents, this dimension remains underexplored. Drawing from an analysis of over 30 national frameworks, the article outlines key findings and highlights key recommendations.

The disclosure of systematic shortcomings of past intercountry adoption practices around the globe requires critical and innovative approaches. It is therefore interesting to have a closer look into the different approaches taken by States around the globe in preventing and addressing issues of irregular and illegal ICA is encouraged. This article focuses on Denmark and its ongoing efforts to address allegations of irregularity.

Dr. Giovanna Ricciardi and Jeannette Wöllenstein-Tripathi recently contributed to the Book Children in Migration and International Family Law: The Child’s Best Interests Principle at the Interface of Migration Law and Family Law, with an article focusing on the protection of children’s rights in cross-border kafalah placements. The present article provides an executive summary of its key messages.

ISS recently celebrated its centennial, marking a century of dedication to protecting children and reuniting families across borders. In this edition of the ISS/IRC newsletter, we pay tribute to the remarkable journey and collective efforts that have shaped ISS legacy.