Deborra-lee Furness launches #AdoptChange
**MEDIA RELEASE**
Deborra-lee Furness launches #AdoptChange
On Wednesday 20 August, Deborra-lee Furness was joined by adoption community members, sector representatives and political leaders and fellow child advocates to launch Adopt Change. This new initiative will allow the advocacy group behind National Adoption Awareness Week to campaign for the rights of all children year-round.
Adopt Change advocates the development of ethical and expedient adoption legislation for both local and intercountry adoption systems, to ensure that the best interests of children are of paramount concern.
Guests heard from Founder and Patron Deborra-lee Furness, new Youth Ambassador, Zufi Emerson, the Hon. Bronwyn Bishop MP, long time Adopt Change Ambassador Jack Thompson and our MC, Adopt Change Board Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Australian Women’s Weekly, Helen McCabe.
“What we at Adopt Change are advocating for is NOT to repeat the mistakes of the past. If we step up and do this properly, we need to provide a pre- and post-adoption service to serve everyone affected by adoption.“ – Deborra-lee Furness
Adopt Change wants to see the establishment of a national Centre of Excellence to address the severe lack of support currently available in Australia, which is the most vital piece of an ethical adoption system. The Centre should service all parties to the adoption process – relinquishing parents, adoptees, adoptive families, Government and service providers.
Images from the launch available to download – http://bit.ly/1tqqNWV Video from the launch, please share – http://youtu.be/YlmlZEvydWs
National Adoption Awareness Week will take place from 9 – 15 November, 2014. Leading international child psychologist Dr Karyn Purvis will be returning to run workshops with parents and professionals, and meet with Governments on the creation of the Centre of Excellence.
“We need permanency for our children, we need policies and procedures that reflect current levels of brain research” – Dr. Karyn Purvis
For further information about NAAW 2014, including Dr Purvis’ visit, make sure you sign up to join our family at our brand new website – www.adoptchange.org.au.
New Adopt Change Ambassadors (in 2014) – view all Ambassadors on the website.
- Latika Bourke – Indian adoptee, political journalist
- Zufi Emerson – 17yo Ethiopian adoptee, Youth Ambassador
- Media Ambassadors:o Mel Doyle – journalist/TV presenter, human rights advocate
o Karl Stefanovic – journalist/TV presenter, long time supporter
o Sandra Sully – journalist, step-mother to Mia, 6yo Indonesian adoptee o Lisa Wilkinson – journalist/TV presenter, child advocateWe are absolutely delighted that Kiehl’s will be supporting us again this year with a Limited Edition product available in all Kiehl’s stores during November.JOIN OUR FAMILY…
Sign up at www.adoptchange.org.au Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter #AdoptChangeGeneral enquiries, please contact enquiries@adoptchange.org.auMEDIA ENQUIRIES:media@adoptchange.org.au02 9302 0213THANKS…We were delighted to be joined by an exceptionally committed group of fellow child advocates at the launch including representatives from Barnardos Australia, IAFQ and International Social Service Australia. Thanks for being there with us.Special thanks to Luke Mangan, the team at glass brasserie for hosting our event, and thanks to the Hilton Sydney for having our guests stay at the hotel.As always, a huge thanks to all of our ongoing partners – the Pratt Foundation, Packer Family Foundation, Newman’s Own Foundation, Keihl’s, Boston Consulting Group, and Egon Zehnder. Particular mention to Lindsey and Cade at Special Group for the brilliant re-brand.
