Milan (AsiaNews) – In 2008 procedures to officially allow Italian couplet adopt Chinese children will officially take off, even if on a practical level a few years will be needed before couplet will be able to embrace their almond eyed children.
After months of negotiations (a first deal was struck in spring 2005), two Italian NGOs have been authorised by Beijing authorities to operate in China: Centro aiuti all’infanzia (Centre for Childhood aid) and Associazione aiuti ai bambini (Association for Aid to Children), both based in Milan.
The decision is the result of meetings between representatives of the China Centre of Adoption Affairs in Beijing (the organisation was set up by the State in 1995 to regulate international adoptions) and its Italian counterpart, the International Adoption Commission, during which modalities governing the bilateral agreement between the People’s Republic of China and Italy were agreed. Ratified on December 19th the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, the agreement now has to be sealed by the Chinese Minister for Civil Affairs.
During their mission the Chinese officials met with 7 associations, all applicants to work in China, at the end of which they indicated Ciai and Aibi as there chosen partners in Italian adoptions of Chinese babies. “A great objective has been reached, a possibility thanks to which hundreds of abandoned minors will be able to find families ready to welcome them”, Marco Griffini president of Aibi commented. “What is important now – adds the president of Ciai, Valeria Rossi Dragone – is that all involved commit themselves to really working in the best interests of the children. It is a great honour for us to be offered this task and we will work in sincerity and with rigour, qualities which have distinguished our work over the last 40 years”.
Beyond their lengthy experience in the field the two NGOs both have well established networks at their disposal and guarantee transparency in all of their operations, as certified by outside watchdogs. Moreover – and not just recently – both organisations are particularly dedicated to China and its’ people. Especially Ciai as the president explains - “the association has been authorised to operate in China since 1996 and during the 1990’s, through foreign donations and thanks to our contacts with PIME missionaries, we have been able to help a group of disabled children. In the future our intention is to continue along this path and explore all useful contacts to realise Ciai’s mission in China”.