Annually observed on November 9th, World Adoption Day encourages adoptees to share their stories and provides a platform for adoptive parents to connect and reflect on their unique adoption journeys.

For couples grappling with the challenges of infertility, adoption serves as a meaningful path to parenthood. However, a diverse array of individuals chooses adoption each year for various reasons. Some may be driven by a desire to offer a loving home to a child in need, while others might face medical conditions making pregnancy unsafe. Additionally, individuals who are single may choose adoption as a way to fulfill their wish to become parents.

Background and History

• Purpose: World Adoption Day was founded in 2014 by adoptive parents Josh and Lilyuana Becker, along with Scott and Marisa MacLeod, to raise awareness about adoption as a positive and life-changing way to build families.

• Global Initiative: The day aims to celebrate the joy of adoption, advocate for the rights of children to have permanent families, and dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding adoption.

Objectives of World Adoption Day

• Raise Awareness: Increase awareness about adoption as a viable option for building families and providing children with loving homes.

• Support Adoptive Families: Recognize and support adoptive families, celebrate their journeys, and highlight the joys and challenges of adoption.

• Advocate for Children: Advocate for the rights of children to have a safe, stable, and nurturing environment through adoption or other forms of permanent care.

Activities and Ways to Celebrate

• Social Media Campaign: Participants and supporters of World Adoption Day are encouraged to draw smiley faces on their hands and share photos on social media with the hashtag #WorldAdoptionDay. The smiley face represents the joy and happiness that adoption brings to families and children.

• Community Events: Organize community events, workshops, panel discussions, and fundraisers to educate the public about adoption, provide support to adoptive families, and facilitate networking among adoptees and birth families.

• Educational Outreach: Collaborate with adoption agencies, advocacy groups, and educational institutions to provide resources, information sessions, and training on adoption-related topics for prospective adoptive parents, professionals, and the general public.

Global Impact and Recognition

• Family Building: Highlight adoption as a positive and loving way to form families, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic background.

• Child Welfare: Raise awareness about the needs of children in foster care and orphanages worldwide, advocating for policies and practices that prioritize the best interests of children and promote family preservation, reunification, and adoption.

• Cultural Awareness: Celebrate the diversity of adoptive families and honor the cultural heritage and identities of adopted children through cultural exchange, education, and inclusive family practices.

How to Participate

• Show Support: Show support for World Adoption Day by participating in the smiley face campaign, sharing adoption stories, and spreading awareness through social media, community events, and personal networks.

• Learn and Advocate: Educate yourself about adoption laws, policies, and ethical practices. Advocate for legislation and policies that support adoption, child welfare, and family preservation efforts.

• Celebrate Diversity: Celebrate the diversity of adoptive families and honor the unique journeys and experiences of adoptees, birth families, and adoptive parents.

World Adoption Day serves as a platform to celebrate the transformative impact of adoption on individuals, families, and communities worldwide. By raising awareness, advocating for children’s rights, and supporting adoptive families, participants contribute to creating a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive in a loving and permanent family environment.