I refer to the various recent media articles and interventions regarding the issue of adoption of minors, especially those of a particular nationality.

Given that Aġenzija Appoġġ within the Foundation for Social Welfare Services is currently the national agency in charge of the Adoption Service in Malta, it is obliged to follow the provisions in the Adoption Act. Therefore, Aġenzija Appoġġ:

• receives and accepts applications by prospective adoptive parents if they are eligible as stated in the Adoption Act

• provides them with training

• carries out the necessary assessments

• carries out homevisits, and

• issues the required reports.

Apart from offering support and guidance to these applicants, Aġenzija continues supporting them and their adopted children after the adoption takes place. This process applies to all adoptions, irrespective of the nationality of the children.

May I take this opportunity to also draw the attention to the fact that Aġenzija Appoġġ always puts the best interests of the child first. So it is worrying and disappointing to see that these children are not being allowed to exercise their right to privacy and to live a life without prejudice, especially those who are being identified as coming from the country in question. There are only a few who are genuinely taking into consideration the harm being done to these children and the pain their parents are going through because of the prejudice they have been facing in the past few days.

Thus I appeal that our resources and energy be used in the most efficient and positive way so that these children, and others that are still to be adopted by Maltese parents, are given the chance, the support and the love that they deserve.

Sina Bugeja

Chief Executive Officer

Foundation for Social Welfare Services