Government & Policy Advisory

Independent, adoptee-led expertise for governments, public institutions and international organisations.

Since 1998, InterCountry Adoptee Voices (ICAV) has connected intercountry adoptees across countries and generations. We draw on lived experience, international networks and policy engagement to help governments understand the lifelong and systemic impacts of intercountry adoption and ensure adoptees have a meaningful role in decisions affecting them.

How ICAV can contribute

  • Adoptee-led consultation and co-design: designing and facilitating inclusive processes that place adoptees’ perspectives at the centre.
  • Policy and systems advice: informing reviews, reform initiatives and lifelong post-adoption support.
  • Research and historical understanding: contributing adoptee perspectives to investigations of past adoption practices, records, identity and accountability.
  • International collaboration: connecting governments with adoptee organisations, relevant institutions and specialist expertise.
  • Dialogue on sensitive issues: facilitating respectful, constructive discussions on complex and contested adoption experiences.

Selected consultation and research experience

ICAV has delivered commissioned consultations, contributed to government reviews and undertaken contracted historical research. Selected engagements include:

Australia — ICAFSS service reviews (2023–2024): Independent reviewer WhereTo commissioned ICAV to design and facilitate adoptee consultations for its reviews of Australia’s Intercountry Adoptee and Family Support Service (ICAFSS).

New Zealand — adoptee consultation and professional learning (2023): ICAV facilitated a panel of adoptees responding to questions from Oranga Tamariki adoption staff on lifelong adoption experiences and post-adoption needs. The recorded presentation and key messages remain available as a learning resource.

Québec, Canada — adoptee-led consultation (2026): ICAV initiated and designed the consultation, then partnered with Québec-based adoptee-led organisation L’Hybridé to deliver a consultation laboratory on 14 October 2026 as part of Québec’s review of intercountry adoption. ICAV had previously advised SASIE and involved adoptees in meetings on search and reunion.

Australia–Korea — current investigation: ICAV is one of four adoptee-led organisations advising Minister Plibersek and the Department of Social Services team conducting the Australia–Korea intercountry adoption investigation.

Denmark — VIVE historical investigation (current): Lynelle Long is contracted to VIVE – The Danish Center for Social Science Research, contributing to its socio-historical investigation of intercountry adoption to Denmark from 1964 to 2016, with a focus on Vietnam and Thailand.

ICAV’s wider contributions include engagement in Australian government policy processes, international work within the framework of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, United Nations-related initiatives, and the development of adoptee-led research and educational resources.

Evidence of impact — New Zealand

In June 2023, ICAV’s adoptee panel contributed to a national Oranga Tamariki gathering attended by approximately 60 adoption service staff. Six months later, follow-up feedback described how staff were applying learning from the presentations in their work.

Staff reported drawing on adoptee experiences in professional supervision and discussions with prospective adoptive parents and families. They described greater attention to racism, language and cultural identity; the complexities of search and reunion; and lifelong support needs. Staff also reported directing applicants and adoptive families to ICAV’s resources.

This staff-reported feedback illustrates how facilitated dialogue with adoptees can support ongoing professional reflection and learning beyond a single event. The feedback covered the wider programme, including ICAV’s panel.

Recognition from the Government of Québec

“Your generosity with your time, insightful observations, and deep understanding of the issues have greatly enriched our thinking.”

Geneviève Poirier, Secretary and Executive Director, Secrétariat aux services internationaux à l’enfant (SASIE), Québec — 11 November 2026 (courtesy English translation)

In a letter of appreciation, SASIE recognised ICAV’s international expertise, its contribution to Québec’s review, and the support provided to L’Hybridé in organising an adoptee-led consultation. The letter also acknowledged the care and constructive dialogue brought to sensitive issues.

Read the official SASIE letter (PDF) — French original and English courtesy translation, 11 November 2026.

Engage with ICAV

ICAV welcomes enquiries from governments, researchers and international institutions seeking meaningful adoptee participation in policy, consultation, research and reform. Our engagement is grounded in independence, transparency and respect for the diversity of adoptee experiences.

For enquiries, please contact ICAV.

Learn more about ICAV’s history and impact and advocacy in Australia.