bangalore a key advocate of openness in adoption rene hoksbergen director adoption department and emeritus professor of adoption studies at utrecht university the netherlands will address a workshop here on november 16 and 17 its organized by sudatta an adoptive families support group in association with central adoption resource authority november is observed worldwide as adoption awareness month why is openness in adoption important its the basic right of every human being to know her biological roots psychological and medical reasons are also important research shows about 95 of all adoptees want to know more about their biological roots and if possible meet the biological parents when the truth is kept from a child we see anger and broken relationships how does india compare with other countries on this count in western societies especially scandinavia holland germany and the us openness is the accepted procedure and demanded by law india is on her way to solve the telling issue but not yet far enough do you feel children can have a healthy relationship with adoptive parents if they meet their biological mother when adoptive parents show this openness their emotional relationship improves an adoptee feels her identity is fully accepted and respected by her adoptive parents i always advise parents to be as open as possible but leave it to the adoptee to search for her background normally during puberty and young adolescence children start searching for their background do indian laws need changes to ensure smooth adoptionyes and the government should do this together with adoptive professionals would a child feel a cultural disconnect if brought up in another country due to intercountry adoption its acceptable only if there is no other option intercountry adoptees often feel torn between two cultures adoptive parents have the moral obligation to help their child feel comfortable with the other culture often when an adoptee visits the country of origin there is some relief all countries should be able to care for their own children therefore promoting adoption by indian couples is highly recommended at present adoption of indian children by couples in holland has stopped altogether over 3000 indian children have been adopted by dutch couples in the past