The movie Philomena tells a powerful true story about the illegal adoption of the child of an unwed Irish mother by a couple in the United States. While most transnational adoptions are not forced, the economic and political disparities between the countries involved clearly play a role. Does this practice give the children involved a better life or does it deprive them of their cultural roots? How well do families with individuals from such different backgrounds work?
The discussion will be primed and facilitated by Lynne Healy, a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor in the School of Social Work. She currently chairs the Administration concentration and also the International Issues Focused Area of Study. Her areas of specialization include international social work, human rights, social work and non-profit management, gender and multicultural issues in administration and leadership, and ethics. Robin Spath, is an Associate Professor of Social Work in the Administration concentration. Her areas of specialization include process and outcome-based program evaluation, child welfare policy, program, practice, family violence, child maltreatment and domestic violence, and women’s issues. They will be joined by Leigha Ormston, a Global House resident and a second year Psychology student. Leigha was adopted at the age of 5 months from Guangzhou, China. “My mother is a single mother (and has always been single) and it's been the two of us and the occasional cat or dog for the last nineteen years. I enjoy long walks to the fridge, Netflix, and chocolate milkshakes.”
Special guest: Dr. Letnie Rock, faculty member at the University of the West Indies, Barbados and children's rights expert, will also comment on the issue.
Date: April 15, 2014
Place: McMahon, Learning Community Lounge
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 PM
For more information, contact: Adelina Mkami at adelina.mkami@uconn.edu