2009 Adoption Policy Conference

International Adoption, the United States, and the Reality of the Hague System

presented by The Center for Adoption Policy,
The Child Advocacy Program of Harvard Law School, and
The Justice Action Center at New York Law School

Friday, March 6, 2009
New York Law School
Ernst Stiefel Reading Room

This conference addressed all aspects of international adoption to and from the United States, one year after the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption became effective in the United States.  
 

CONFERENCE VIDEO

Click on the "play" buttons below to view streaming video from selected conference panels.

Welcome, Opening Remarks, and Panel I: The United States as a Hague Member: What Are We Doing, What Do We Need To Do?

Panel II: The Hague: Impact on and Implications for Sending Countries

Panel II (continued)

Panel IV: Bringing Children Home: The USCIS's Role in International Adoption

Audience Discussion and Closing Remarks

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

8:30 a.m.
Check-in for pre-registered guests
Continental breakfast was be available in the conference center.

9:00 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Diane B. Kunz, Executive Director, Center for Adoption Policy
Elizabeth Bartholet, Morris Wasserstein Professor of Law, Harvard Law School; Faculty Director, Child Advocacy Program

9:10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.
Panel I: The United States as a Hague Member: What Are We Doing, What Do We Need To Do?

  • Moderator: Joan Helfetz Hollinger, Lecturer in Residence, University of California Berkeley School of Law
  • William J. Bistransky, Chief of the Adoption Unit, Office of Children's Issues, U.S. Department of State
  • Anna Mary Coburn, Attorney-Advisor, U.S. Department of State
  • Richard Klarberg, President and CEO, Council on Accreditation
  • Miki Stebbing, Accrediting Entity Liaison Hague Adoption Unit, Office of Children's Issues, U.S. Department of State

11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Panel II: The Hague: Impact on and Implications for Sending Countries

  • Moderator: Kathryn Webb Bradley, Senior Lecturing Fellow, Duke University School of Law
  • Cheryl Appell, Canadian Fellow, American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
  • Paolo Barrozzo, Lecturer, Harvard University; Visiting Assistant Professor, Boston College Law School
  • Susan LoBosco, MSW, Clinical Social Work Supervisor, MAPS

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch and Keynote Speaker: Human Rights and International Adoption
Ambassador Jerome J. Shestack, Former President, American Bar Association; Co-Chair and Founder, American Bar Association Human Rights Center; Of Counsel, WolfBlock

1:35 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Panel III: Ensuring the Future: A New Way Forward for International Adoption

  • Moderator and Speaker: Elizabeth Bartholet, Morris Wasserstein Professor of Law, Harvard Law School; Faculty Director, Child Advocacy Program
  • Dr. Jane Aronson, Founder and CEO, Worldwide Orphans Foundation
  • Thomas DiFilipo, President and CEO, Joint Council on International Children’s Services
  • Kathleen Strottman, Executive Director, Congressional Coalition for Adoption Institute (CCAI)

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Panel IV: Bringing Children Home: The USCIS's Role in International Adoption

  • Moderator: Lindsay Curcio, Adjunct Professor, New York Law School; Codirector, Safe Passage Immigration Project, Justice Action Center
  • Robert N. Gottfried, Partner, Hodgson Russ LLP
  • Denise Noel, Temporary Supervisory Immigration Service Officer, New York City Adoption Unit, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS)
  • Andrea J. Quarantillo, District Director, New York City District Office, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Audience Discussion


CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION

This CLE program was approved for both transitional and non-transitional attorneys for a maximum of 5 continuing legal education credits in professional practice.


If you have any questions, please send an email to jac@nyls.edu.