National Adoption Awareness Week
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National Adoption Awareness Week (NAAW) is a series of community based events exploring the process of adoption, and the journeys of all people touched by adoption, locally and internationally.
NAAW was launched in Australia in 2008. Due to its success, it will be held annually in November and will coincide with adoption awareness around the world. NAAW 2010 will be held from 8th to 14th November.
NAAW aims to acknowledge and learn from all adoption-related journeys and experiences. It creates opportunities for open, honest and ongoing dialogue between all parties to adoption, to increase awareness of its complexities, challenges and opportunities.
A more informed and constructive attitude to adoption will flow through to policy-making, support services and education, and will help Australia work towards a more positive adoption environment.
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Aims of National Adoption Awareness Week
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 | | (Photos with Deborra-lee Furness courtesy of The Sunday Telegraph) |
| NAAW creates opportunities for open dialogue with all Australians, particularly those who have been touched by adoption.
Although adoption has been practiced in almost every country and culture throughout history, in Australia, adoption has too often been misunderstood, and at times, stigmatised and marginalised.
Adoption is a legitimate way of forming a family. Many other countries have successfully embraced adoption. However, there is a perception that Australia has been reluctant to advocate for adoption and it's stakeholders. For example, adoptees continue to be discriminated against in some of our immigration laws and policies, and in some states with regard to access to information.
NAAW also aims to explore ways of better supporting birth parents, young and adult adoptees, and our existing and future adoptive families.
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National Adoption Awareness Week aims to increase insight and empathy, remove the stigma, and work towards a more positive adoption environment.
There are simply too many children around the world (including Australia) without families. Ethical, transparent adoption will enable some of these children to have a family and a brighter future.
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Join us by supporting National Adoption Awareness Week
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We welcome, encourage and appreciate input and insight from all parties to adoption.
Please contact us at enquiries@adoptionawarenessweek.com
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