The Politics of Adoption: Gender and the Making of French Citizenship

Institutions

Institutions Agence Française de l’Adoption (AFA, French Adoption Agency) Established by law on July 4, 2005. An umbrella organization comprising representatives of the national government, local governments (départements), and the three federations of authorized adoption agencies. Informs, advises, and channels prospective adoptive parents in matters of international adoptions for all countries (whether or not a signatory to the Hague Convention). Acts as an intermediary for adoptions of foreign minors in all countries that have signed the Hague Convention. For other countries, the AFA only becomes involved if authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and if accredited by local authorities (at no detriment to authorized adoption agencies). Forwards reports on prospective parents and receives reports on adoptable children. Aide Sociale à l’Enfance (ASE, Child Welfare Agency) State welfare authority, decentralized since July 22, 1983, hence administered by the president of the county council (Conseil Général) in each administrative unit (département). Staffed by administrators, social workers , youth workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Depending on the size of the département, may have its own adoption unit. Responsible for wards of the state and for conducting adoption approval screenings (social and psychological investigations). The ASE’s conclusions are then forwarded to the Approval Committee (see Commission d’Agrément). 146 Institutions Ambassadeur pour l’Adoption Internationale (Ambassador for Intercountry Adoptions) Post established on June 25, 2008. Appointed by the French president to head the international adoption unit (see Service de l’Adoption Internationale) within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Autorité Centrale pour l’Adoption Internationale (Central Authority for International Adoption) Established on July 5, 1996 in accordance with the 1993 Hague Convention ; a department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since March 16, 2009, its personnel staffs the international adoption unit (Service de l’Adoption Internationale). Notably responsible for negotiating bilateral agreements, for certifying and monitoring authorized adoption agencies, for coordinating diplomatic networks, for contributing to international cooperation policies, and for co-supervising the Agence Française de l’Adoption). Comité Interministériel pour l’Adoption (Joint Cabinet Committee on Adoption) Established by executive order on January 30, 2009; chaired by the prime minister (or delegated to the minister in charge of family affairs). Members also include the minister of the interior, the minister of foreign affairs , the minister of justice, and any other invited cabinet ministers. Coordinates government policy on adoption issues and assesses its implementation. Commission d’Accès aux Documents Administratifs (Commission on Access to Administrative Records) Independent authority established by law on July 17, 1978. Releases administrative records of adopted children in the case of repeated refusals by the president of the county council (Conseil Général) if the file contains only nonidentifying information related to medical data, conditions of birth, etc. Commission d’Agrément (Approval Commission) As stipulated by a law enacted on July 5, 1996, is composed of seven people appointed by the president of the local Conseil Général—namely, Institutions 147 three members of the child welfare services (Aide Sociale à l’Enfance), two members of the family council (Conseil de Famille, one of whom is nominated by the Union Départementale des Associations Familiales or UDAF), one member of a local association of wards of state, and a qualified individual in the sphere of protection of children. Receives reports from child welfare services (Aide Sociale à l’Enfance) and may interview candidates seeking approval. Forwards a detailed opinion to the president of the Conseil Général who countersigns the decision in his or her capacity as ultimate decision maker. Conseil de Famille (Family Advisory Council) Composed of representatives of the local Conseil Général nominated by the president of that assembly, plus members of associations concerned with family policies (Union Départementale des Associations Familiales and associations of wards—or former wards—of the state) chosen by the administrative prefect, who also chooses other qualified individuals. All are appointed for six years,with half the membership renewed every three years. In conjunction with the administrative prefect, exercises parental authority over local wards of the state. Gives its consent to adoptions if the parents have not already done so. Gives its consent to the choice of adoptive parents, the date of adoption, and information provided to adoptive parents. Conseil National d’Accès aux Origines Personnelles (National Council on Access to Personal Roots) Established by law on January 22,2002,is composed of two...