International Congress in Belgrade – Adoption, Identity & Human Rights
International Congress in Belgrade – Adoption, Identity & Human Rights
Participating as an international speaker at the First International Congress “Together in Child Protection” in Belgrade, Serbia, became a deeply meaningful and important experience.
The congress gathered researchers, doctors, professors, journalists, human rights advocates, adoptees, biological mothers and professionals from several countries to discuss children’s rights, identity, intercountry adoption, trafficking, trauma and the right to one’s origins.
During the congress, I lectured on:
“Misuse of the Hague Convention in International Adoption – The Legal Framework as a Cover for Child Trafficking.”
As an intercountry adoptee from Bangladesh, Registered Nurse, trauma-informed educator and strategic consultant, I bring both lived experience and professional expertise into these conversations.
My own journey — including searching for and reconnecting with my biological family through DNA — has given me deep insight into the emotional, psychological and identity-related complexities connected to adoption, loss, belonging, grief and reunion processes.
One of the most emotional moments during the congress was when I shared a photograph of myself together with my biological mother after we reunited in Bangladesh. Many people in the audience were deeply moved, especially biological mothers who also shared stories about children who had disappeared or were never found again.
Several participants described my lecture and story as:
“powerful”, “touching” and “from the heart”.
During the congress, I was also interviewed for a British documentary production together with international experts and human rights profiles working within adoption, identity and child protection.
The congress further presented international collaboration initiatives connected to truth, identity, DNA, human rights and long-term support for adoptees and affected families worldwide.
Alongside my international speaking engagements, I work with lectures, workshops, mentoring and educational support connected to trauma awareness, emotional wellbeing, psychosocial workplace health, identity, resilience and sustainable human development.
I have more than 30 years of experience within healthcare, leadership, coaching and organisational development and work with individuals, organisations, healthcare professionals, municipalities and international audiences.
In Sweden, an important national discussion is currently taking place following the government adoption investigation. Many adoptees now hope to see long-term and concrete support systems throughout life, including:
• National resource centres for adoptees
• Psychological, practical and legal support
• Support during DNA and origin searches
• Support during reunions with biological family
• Increased awareness around adoption, identity and trauma
• Long-term national action plans
As adoptees, we have the right to our identity, our origins and support through different stages of life.
I remain deeply grateful to all the courageous people I met in Belgrade for their openness, stories and commitment to human rights, truth and human dignity. #HumanRights
#IntercountryAdoption
#Identity
#TraumaAwareness
#ChildProtection
#Belonging
#EmotionalWellbeing
#LivedExperience
#InternationalSpeaker