Learning from Intercountry Adoptee Lived Experience
ICAV brings together educational guides, collective adoptee perspectives, research, webinars and resources to deepen understanding of intercountry adoption and its lifelong impacts.
Created and curated with intercountry adoptee voices at the centre, these resources are for adoptees, first families, adoptive families, professionals, researchers, policymakers and anyone seeking to understand the complexities of intercountry adoption.
Explore Our Resources
Guides & Educational Resources
Accessible introductions and practical guides
Perspective Papers
Collective adoptee voices on key issues
Adoptee-led Research
Academic research created by adoptees
Webinars & Presentations
Watch and learn from adoptee speakers
Resources for Professionals
Education for health, education, law, and care professionals
Books, Films & Reviews
Explore publications and documentaries
Featured ICAV Resources
A small collection of ICAV’s important educational publications, with links to the existing resource pages.
Understanding Intercountry Adoption
A Global Rights-Based Introduction
An accessible guide exploring the history, ethics and human rights of intercountry adoption, including safeguards, identity, citizenship, family separation, lifelong impacts and the responsibilities of States.
Understanding the UN for Adoptees
A Practical Guide to Human Rights Mechanisms
Helping adoptees, families and advocates use the UN human rights mechanisms to pursue truth, justice and reparations.
Rethinking Adoption: In Our Own Words
Educational Videos by Intercountry Adoptees
Hear directly from intercountry adoptees about the complexities of adoption and what professionals need to understand to provide better-informed, sensitive and lifelong support.
Looking for Support or Advocacy Information?
For peer connections, post-adoption services and search and reunion assistance, visit Find Support.
To explore ICAV’s work on adoptee rights, systemic reform, investigations and accountability, visit Advocacy & Rights.
ICAV advocates and educates from lived experience. We recognise that intercountry adoptees have diverse experiences, perspectives and needs.