Russia is one of the most popular countries from which to adopt

It is also one of the most difficult, with many requirements› Age: at least 16 years older› Health: certain diseases lead to

disqualification› Travel: at least 2 trips to Russia› Cost: averages $30,000

Russian families place low worth on children (abortion rate is 70% higher than United States)

Currently over 700,000 children living without biological parents

Only 10% true orphans 90% due to abandonment or inability

of parents to raise them Caused by declining economic & health

conditions in Russia

Leaders in Moscow learned of a mistreated child in Virginia

Russia began questioning adoption policies and requirements

Threatened to ban adoption into the United States› Detrimental to Russia – U.S. accountable

for 57% of Russian adoptions

Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption› Enforced in 1995› Deals with child trafficking, child

laundering, and international adoption› United States signed in December 2007,

along with 69 other countries› Russia has yet to sign

"Children Adopted from Russia Explore their Roots." America.gov. 02 Nov. 2009. Web. 30 Dec. 2009. <http://www.america.gov/st/eurenglish/2009/November/20091030165454ZJsrednA0.444607.html>.

DeLaine, Linda. "Plight of Russia's Orphans." Sunergos International. 01 Mar. 2000. Web. 03 Jan. 2010. <http://sunergosinternational.org/article00107.aspx>.

Killion, Crystal. "International Adoption from Russia: Information and Requirements for Adoptive Parents." International Adoption. 21 July 2008. Web. 01 Jan. 2010. <http://international-adoption.suite101.com/article.cfm/international_adoption_russia>.

Klopott, Freeman. "U.S. urges Russia to sign adoption treaty." Washington Examiner. 11 Jan. 2009. Web. 30 Dec. 2009. <http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/011209-US_urges_Russia_to_sign_adoption_treaty.html>.

Rogers, Janet. "Adoption in Russia: Power Struggles vs. Happy Outcomes." Russia. 16 July 2007. Web. 30 Dec. 2009. <http://russia.suite101.com/article.cfm/adoption_in_russia>.

"UNICEF - Russian Federation." UNICEF - UNICEF Home. Web. 01 Jan. 2010. <http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/russia_51631.html>.