Report on international adoption published

A study on international adoption brings together topical discussion and studies carried out in four European countries concerning international adoption. 

The adoption study examines reviews of adoption that have been carried out or that are under way in the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland. These countries were selected for the study because they have carried out such reviews in recent years.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of the reasons that had led to the reviews, the countries of origin for adoption, and the measures taken based on the reviews in each of the four countries.  

In addition to country reports and reviews, the study drew on literature on adoption and data on national and international legislation. To obtain background information on the issues, the study team met with representatives of the Finnish Adoption Board and the Ministry of Justice, which are the Finnish central authorities, and the City of Helsinki Department of Social Services, Interpedia and Save the Children Finland, which provide intercountry adoption services. 

Discussion on adoption continues in Finland

As international adoption has also sparked a debate in Finland, the purpose of the report is to provide more information and clarity to support this debate.

The history of international adoption in the countries examined differs in many ways from that of Finland, and the numbers of adoptions are considerably higher than in Finland. As Finland became a receiving country for international adoptions later than the countries examined, large-scale operations related to adoption have always been regulated in Finland. 

The study on international adoption was carried out as part of the implementation of the National Child Strategy in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Child Strategy team. The study was conducted by Reetta Peltonen, Master of Laws.

Inquiries       

Johanna Laisaari, Secretary General for the National Child Strategy,
tel. +358 295 161 177, [email protected] 

Anna Cantell-Forsbom, Director of Children and Young People Unit, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 351, [email protected]

Reetta Peltonen, [email protected]

• Studies on international adoption conducted by four European countries. Summary and observations from Finland’s perspective (in Finnish)
• Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and National Child Strategy team launch a joint study on international adoptions