Any couple interested in adopting a child should find answers to many of their questions at the upcoming European Adoption Symposium.
The 13th annual symposium is scheduled for May 7 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The symposium often draws a couple hundred would-be parents. As always, organizers intend to make things as convenient as possible for those attending.
“We don’t take advance registration,” said Jeanie Veith, longtime leader of the symposium.
“We just want people to come.”
The daylong event begins with the keynote address by Adam Pertman, director of an adoption institute and author of the book “Adoption Nation.”
The event is sponsored by the Kaiserslautern Military Community Adoption Support Group. The symposium, which runs from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., is divided into five, 75-minute segments. Each segment has at least three seminars to choose from. In addition, there will be workshops and printed materials — some free, others for sale — in the main hall.
One of the highlights will be a morning seminar on the unique issues military personnel face when adopting. Army Col. Patricia Mulcahy, director for manpower, personnel and administration for the U.S. European Command, will lead the seminar.
“We have wanted to do it in past years,” Veith said, “but we have never had someone who could speak with authority on those issues. Now we do. We’re delighted.”
Other seminar subjects range from financing and infertility to medical issues and the adoption of older children. Veith recommends that people come to the symposium as early as possible to register, peruse books and learn more about the various seminars beforehand.
There is no charge to attend, though people will be asked to make a donation of either $5 or 5 euros per person to defray the cost of the event and the food served. No child care will be available.
For more information, go to www.usadopteurope.com.
