[vc_row equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1715320936420{background-color: #ffffff !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_single_image source=”featured_image” img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
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[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”1″ collapsible_all=”true” el_class=”presentations”][vc_tta_section title=”Donor Conception & Surrogacy: Preventing & Addressing Complexities October 7, 8 and 9 2025″ tab_id=”1715156312992-5dab1d89-bd271ba1-87e89758-5c322b2e-1ea74e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Hosted by the Brocher Foundation, Hermance, Geneva, this expert workshop provides an opportunity to consider and respond to various complexities in third party reproduction. In the interest of future families, the aim is to place their needs and human rights at the centre, in particular children born in these situations.<\/p>\n
This workshop will provide a unique opportunity for discussions between an interdisciplinary international group comprised of Donor Conceived (DC) adults, DC parent(s) and donor(s), together with practicing and academic bioethicists, children\u2019s rights experts, legal, psychosocial and medical practitioners. It will include global and national actors from the UN, HCCH, Government, and Civil Society. The field is rich with interdisciplinary questions, compounded by varying legal contexts including cross-border challenges.<\/p>\n
Two online meetings (90 minutes) will be organised for all experts with the purpose of meeting each other and starting the discussions ahead of the Brocher event. It will also be an opportunity to consider potential outputs and prepare \u201coutlines\u201d or \u201cmartyr drafts\u201d where there is agreement.<\/p>\n
As a result of the expert meeting, we will consider the following outputs which we will discuss during the preparation meetings :<\/p>\n
Launch of new tools for policy makers and practitioners to protect children\u2019s rights in third party reproduction and surrogacy<\/a><\/p>\n Download Flyer<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Conception avec donneur et maternit\u00e9 de substitution : Pr\u00e9venir et traiter les complexit\u00e9s 7, 8 et 9 octobre 2025″ tab_id=”1734532688330-0b6f3893-de784e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Organis\u00e9 par la Fondation Brocher, Hermance, Gen\u00e8ve, cet atelier d\u2019experts offre l\u2019opportunit\u00e9 d\u2019examiner et de r\u00e9pondre aux diverses complexit\u00e9s de la reproduction impliquant un tiers. Dans l\u2019int\u00e9r\u00eat des futures familles, l\u2019objectif est de placer leurs besoins et leurs droits humains au centre des discussions lors de cet atelier, en particulier les enfants n\u00e9s dans ce contexte.<\/p>\n Cet atelier offrira une occasion unique de discussions entre un groupe international interdisciplinaire compos\u00e9 d\u2019adultes con\u00e7us par don, de parents, de donneurs, ainsi que de bio\u00e9thiciens praticiens et universitaires, d\u2019experts en droits de l\u2019enfant et de praticiens juridiques, psychosociaux et m\u00e9dicaux. Des acteurs internationaux et nationaux des Nations unies, de la HCCH, des gouvernements et de la soci\u00e9t\u00e9 civile y participeront. Le domaine est riche de questions interdisciplinaires, rendues plus complexes par des contextes juridiques vari\u00e9s, comportant des d\u00e9fis transfrontaliers.<\/p>\n Deux r\u00e9unions en ligne (90 minutes) seront organis\u00e9es pour tous les experts dans le but de se rencontrer et d\u2019entamer les discussions avant l\u2019\u00e9v\u00e9nement Brocher. Ce sera \u00e9galement l\u2019occasion d\u2019examiner les \u00e9ventuels r\u00e9sultats des discussions et de pr\u00e9parer les \u00ab grandes lignes \u00bb ou les \u00ab projets de martyrs \u00bb en cas d\u2019accord.<\/p>\n \u2013 13h00-14h30 CET 27 f\u00e9vrier 2025<\/p>\n \u2013 13h00-14h30 CET 26 mai 2025<\/p>\n \u00c0 la suite des r\u00e9unions d\u2019experts, nous envisageons de publier les informations suivantes si possible :<\/p>\n \u2013 R\u00e9sum\u00e9 des r\u00e9unions d\u2019experts<\/p>\n \u2013 Document(s) acad\u00e9mique(s)<\/p>\n \u2013 Notes d\u2019information sur la \u00ab Prise en compte des besoins et des droits de l\u2019enfant \u00bb destin\u00e9es \u00e0 diff\u00e9rentes personnes (parents d\u2019intention, donateurs, \u00c9tats, juristes et praticiens m\u00e9dicaux, etc.)<\/p>\n \u2013 Autres id\u00e9es, etc.<\/p>\n Lancement de nouveaux outils destin\u00e9s aux d\u00e9cideurs politiques et aux professionnels pour prot\u00e9ger les droits des enfants dans le cadre de la procr\u00e9ation m\u00e9dicalemente assist\u00e9e avec tiers donneur et de la maternit\u00e9 de substitution<\/a><\/p>\n Download Flyer<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Concepci\u00f3n mediante donaci\u00f3n y gestaci\u00f3n subrogada: Prevenir y tratar las complejidades \u2013 7, 8 y 9 de octubre de 2025″ tab_id=”1734532752787-25337003-006c4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Organizado por la Fondation Brocher, en Hermance (Ginebra), este taller de expertos ofrece la oportunidad de examinar y responder a las diversas complejidades de la reproducci\u00f3n con la participaci\u00f3n de un tercero. En inter\u00e9s de las futuras familias, el objetivo del taller es situar en el centro de los debates sus necesidades y derechos humanos, en particular los de los ni\u00f1os y ni\u00f1as nacidos en este contexto.<\/p>\n Este taller ofrecer\u00e1 una oportunidad \u00fanica para el debate entre un grupo interdisciplinario internacional de adultos concebidos mediante donaci\u00f3n, madres, padres y donantes, as\u00ed como bioeticistas en ejercicio y acad\u00e9micos, expertos en derechos de los ni\u00f1os y ni\u00f1as y profesionales jur\u00eddicos, psicosociales y m\u00e9dicos. Tambi\u00e9n participar\u00e1n actores internacionales y nacionales de las Naciones Unidas, de la Conferencia de La Haya de Derecho Internacional Privado, de gobiernos y de la sociedad civil. Se trata de un \u00e1mbito rico en cuestiones interdisciplinares, que se hace m\u00e1s complejo por los variados contextos jur\u00eddicos, con retos transfronterizos.<\/p>\n Se organizar\u00e1n dos reuniones en l\u00ednea (90 minutos) para que todos los expertos se conozcan e inicien los debates antes del evento en la Fondation Brocher. Tambi\u00e9n ser\u00e1 la ocasi\u00f3n de examinar los resultados de los debates y preparar las \u00ab\u00a0principales l\u00edneas \u00bb o los \u00abborradores iniciales \u00bb en caso de acuerdo.<\/p>\n \u2013 27 de febrero de 2025 \u2013 13:00-14:30 CET<\/p>\n \u2013 26 de mayo de 2025 \u2013 13:00-14:30 CET<\/p>\n Tras las reuniones de expertos, tenemos previsto publicar lo siguiente siempre que fuera posible:<\/p>\n \u2013 el resumen de las reuniones de experta\/os;<\/p>\n \u2013 documento(s) acad\u00e9mico(s);<\/p>\n \u2013 notas informativas sobre el tomar en cuenta las necesidades y los derechos de los ni\u00f1os y ni\u00f1as, dirigidas a diferentes personas (padres de intenci\u00f3n, donantes, Estados, abogada\/os y m\u00e9dica\/os, etc.);<\/p>\n \u2013 otras ideas, etc.<\/p>\n Lanzamiento de nuevas herramientas para desarrolladores de pol\u00edticas p\u00fablicas y profesionales destinadas a proteger los derechos de los ni\u00f1os y de las ni\u00f1as en la reproducci\u00f3n asistida mediante terceros y la gestaci\u00f3n subrogada<\/a><\/p>\n Download Flyer<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1715320948919{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1715320959069{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11551″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734510146984{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Leen Bastiaansen<\/span><\/strong><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1714411810216-f437112c-ab9d1ba1-87e89758-5c322b2e-1ea74e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]I was born in 1984 into a traditional heterosexual-parent family after being conceived through anonymous sperm donation. I learned the truth about my conception at the age of 21 and discovered the identity of my biological father at the age of 31. <\/p>\n When discussing the ethics and practice of donor conception, it is crucial for experts to include the voices of donor conceived individuals. However, translating their experiences and opinions into ethical guidelines for policy and practice is far from straightforward. Drawing on insights from social constructionism, narrative identity theory, and relational ethics theory, I will elaborate on this complexity.<\/p>\n According to social constructionism, identity is continuously shaped through social interaction. We rely on others to make sense of ourselves. For donor conceived people, familial and societal contexts have an inevitable impact on how they make sense of the donor conceived experience. Considering processes of identification and socialization is essential for understanding how donor conceived individuals express their experiences.<\/p>\n Narrative identity theory conceptualizes identity as a story we create about ourselves. This story helps making sense of who we are and fosters a continuous and coherent sense of self. Storytelling relies on language. For donor conceived individuals, the way their environment defines terms like \u2018parent,\u2019 \u2018donor,\u2019 and \u2018family\u2019 shapes how they understand and articulate their own experiences. Therefore, research into the (storied) experiences of donor conceived people must recognize the influence of familial and societal discourse.<\/p>\n Donor conceived individuals owe their existence to one or two intended parents, one or two gamete donors, and, in most cases, a fertility doctor. According to relational ethics theory, \u2018receiving\u2019 existence creates indestructible ties of existential debt. Donor conceived individuals experience existential loyalty towards everyone involved in their conception. Through receiving care and education, they develop additional loyalty toward their raising parent(s). When listening to donor conceived individuals\u2019 voices, researchers and policymakers must be aware of the complex relational structures surrounding those voices. The psychological burdens of parentification, relational debts and conflicting loyalties should not be overlooked.<\/p>\n The need for a nuanced approach that considers the complexities of identity formation, family dynamics, and societal influences, will be further substantiated by case examples and research findings, and translated into recommendations for future research and policy.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11554″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734510296822{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Vanessa Binder<\/span><\/strong><\/span> After learning the truth about her conception in 2019 (aged 37), she decided\u00a0to co-create (along with her sister and a Swiss donor conceived friend) a Swiss association\u00a0concerning all\u00a0aspects\u00a0of\u00a0donor conception\u00a0in 2021.<\/p>\n Today the association organizes regular meet ups and monthly video conferences for all the\u00a0people\u00a0involved\u00a0in\u00a0donor conception (donor conceived adults, recipient parents, donors\u2026).\u00a0The\u00a0committee\u00a0members also regularly give presentations on the subject to raise awareness on the matter (at an annual Swiss fertility clinic’s\u00a0conference\u00a0for example).[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734510319059-dc2a58c9-dfa04e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Sharing the experiences of donor conceived adults is one of the aims of the association. We believe it is very important to educate and raise awareness\u00a0towards the\u00a0people concerned\u00a0by donor conception\u00a0(for example, the future recipient parents, the fertility doctors as well as the\u00a0general public) for them to understand all the complexities\u00a0involved in\u00a0using a gamete donor.<\/p>\n Our main message is to let the donor conceived persons choose whether this part of themselves is important for them or not.\u00a0In order to\u00a0do so, the donor conceived person must know that part of their story. We would like to end the secrecy regarding\u00a0their conception\u00a0through\u00a0education and raising awareness. Indeed,\u00a0today the law does not force a parent to tell the truth to their donor conceived child,\u00a0as\u00a0it is still considered a private matter. We want to take part\u00a0in\u00a0creating a better future for the next generation of donor conceived persons by making sure that they will be told their story truthfully\u00a0and\u00a0be able to\u00a0make it their own.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11776″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734529842848{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Maud de Boer-Buquicchio<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Basic human rights treaties \u2013 notably the UDHR and the two Covenants \u2013 were drafted well before donor conception and surrogacy became established practices, so the potential implications of these practices for the right to found a family were not examined. Like other fundamental freedoms under international law, the right to found a family was intended as a protection from arbitrary measures or prohibitions that would prevent individuals from doing so \u2013 a so-called \u201cnegative right\u201d. The advent of donor conception and surrogacy in particular, however, led some to claim it is a \u201cpositive right\u201d held by anyone with the desire to have a child, using whatever (legal) means may be available to realise that wish. Determining the correct interpretation requires, among other things, examining the point where rights and ethics overlap.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1715320959069{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”13064″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1759606408207{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Sandra Cesna<\/span><\/strong><\/span> She serves on the board of Fertiforum, a committee of the Swiss Society for Reproductive Medicine, and has been elected to the expert committee for the Revision of the Federal Law on Reproductive Medicine (FMedG) in Switzerland. In addition, she is part of the team currently drafting the national guidelines for the legalisation of egg donation.<\/p>\n Sandra Cesna is the President of the Swiss Egg Donation Association and founded the first support group in Switzerland for parents of donor-conceived children. She is also the author of We Wanted You, a children\u2019s book for families created through egg donation.<\/p>\n As a pioneer and advocate of open egg donation, she has played a key role in raising awareness and fostering acceptance of this practice in Switzerland. Her central concern is that donor-conceived children grow up informed about their origins.<\/p>\n A mother of two children born through egg donation herself, Sandra combines personal experience with professional expertise, making her one of the leading psychological counsellors in Switzerland for fertility clinics, professionals, and businesses.<\/p>\n She holds a Master of Psychology and a Master of Advanced Studies in Psychotherapy from the University of Basel.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1759606245113-a058fcac-41fa4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11252″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734528738795{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Marilyn Crawshaw<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Now an Honorary Fellow at University of York and chair of PROGAR https:\/\/bit.ly\/4dBheN9<\/a>\u00a0 – the UK multi-agency and multi-disciplinary group whose focus is on the lifespan impact of donor conception and surrogacy – Marilyn has worked since the 1980s in the field of assisted conception.\u00a0 This has been, variously, as a social worker, social work academic, Social and Ethical Inspector with the HFEA (the UK regulator) and policy adviser.\u00a0 Her research has been with DC adults, recipient parents, donors and professionals.\u00a0 For ten years, Marilyn was the national adviser to UK DonorLink – the government-funded DNA-based voluntary information exchange and contact register for adults genetically related through donor conception. Marilyn has close links with the Donor Conception Network (https:\/\/dcnetwork.org\/<\/a>), Donor Concneived UK, and the British Infertility Counselling Association (www.bica.net<\/a>) and is in regular contact with parents, donor-conceived adults and donors.\u00a0 She also sits on the Executive of York Human Rights City Network: York was the UK\u2019s first Human Rights City.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734514097257-566a0467-83c84e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Abstract for session on Monday 7th October at 15.30 Preparing for parenthood & family life using surrogacy and\/or donor conception or preparing to be a donor and\/or surrogate has unique psychological aspects. At the same time, internalised socialising influences about the nature\/nurture balance and norms about family structures can reinforce a medicalised and increasingly commercialised treatment\/donation\/surrogacy social context to create barriers to exploring their implications. This also applies to professionals, researchers and policy makers. Abstract for session on Wednesday 8th October at 11.30 The focus on medical and legal aspects of donor conception and surrogacy interventions continues to dominate policy and practice discussions across jurisdictions, sidelining lifespan and intergenerational aspects and obscuring\/ shutting down debate about who holds any duty of care for later interventions, including when States hold relevant information. My role is multifaceted: offering individuals and families resources and information to help guide their decision making and information sharing, coordinating volunteer activities and recruitment and managing the throughflow of academic research activity in the Network. I support the children and teen group activities at our conferences, as well as provide technical support and professional input for DC Network\u2019s workshops and materials for intended parents and families.<\/p>\n Prior to working at DC Network, I worked as a research associate in a small academic team conducting research and evaluation in applied Psychology; this included studying attachment, childhood experiences of care and abuse and the implication of these in the context of residential care as well as youth vulnerability.<\/p>\n On a personal level, I am a mother through egg donation undertaken at a clinic in Spain, to one daughter who was born in 2011.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734511031284-6fdd4384-6dcb4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]I\u2019ll be presenting both as an individual parent through donor conception and on behalf of an organisation supporting donor conception families for over 30 years. While these families function as well as others in many respects, distinct themes arise within our community, reflecting both strengths and challenges. From pre- to post-conception, we must consider a third\u2014and sometimes fourth or fifth\u2014party who has contributed not only to our journey to parenthood but also to who our children are. Their presence may have a minimal or significant role, but it is rarely without impact.<\/span><\/p>\n Key themes include the emotional adjustment involved in letting go of the original idea of parenthood and embracing donor conception\u2014particularly regarding feeling like the \u2018real\u2019 parent and how treatment choices influence this process. Parents also face the complexities of openness and disclosure with their children and extended networks. Additionally, parents confront managing expectations and relationships with genetic connections outside the immediate family, such as donors or half-siblings, which is rarely straightforward. I will also briefly touch on how our organisation supports families navigating these experiences.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11565″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734530006711{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Astrid Indekeu<\/span><\/strong><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734529299736-60d4f300-e8334e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Astrid Indekeu is a research fellow at the Centre for Sociological Research (CeSO, KU Leuven, Life Sciences and Society Lab<\/a>), she is the chair of POINT,<\/a> the professional organization of Belgian and Dutch fertility counsellors, member of the IICO-board (International Infertility Counseling Organisation<\/a>) and is the founder of and practitioner in DONAE<\/a>, [DO<\/b>norconceptie NA<\/b>zorg en E<\/b>xpertisecentrum], a support and expertise center for families after donor conception)<\/p>\n Astrid has been more than 15 years active in the field of donor conception as researcher, clinical psychologist and policy advisor. As a clinical psychologist and researcher, she puts a strong emphasis on transferring research results to daily practice and policy regarding families formed by donor conception. Her research has focused on the experiences of (intending) parents, donor-conceived people, and donors, amongst others contact between donor-conceived people and donors, the number of offspring per donor, age limits in the law regarding access to information, and fertility fraude . She has been working\/ co-operating with various international colleagues (Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, United Kingdom, Finland, Japan, \u2026.). Astrid has a close link with the Belgian consumer organization for parents by donor conception (Donorfamilies vzw<\/a>) and the recently established organization for Belgian donors (Alote<\/a>)[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734529299763-8f2b8029-9e6a4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Abstract for session on Wednesday 8th October at 14.00 (100 words) Abstract for session on Thursday 9th October at 9.00 (100 words) For nearly 20 years, he has been actively campaigning for recognition of the right of every person to know their origins.<\/p>\n With Audrey Kermalvezen-Fournis, he co-founded the ORIGINES association, which he chairs.<\/p>\n Author of the book \u2018N\u00e9 de spermatozo\u00efde inconnu\u2019 (Born from an unknown sperm) (foreword by Serge Tisseron), published by Presse de la Renaissance in 2008 and reissued by J\u2019ai Lu in 2010.<\/p>\n Since 2006, he has been a spokesperson for people conceived by gamete donation.<\/p>\n In September 2017, he became the first French person to trace the donor who conceived him using a recreational DNA test.<\/p>\n Co-author of the book \u2018Le Fils\u2019 with journalist Charlotte Rotman, published by \u00c9ditions L\u2019Iconoclaste in February 2021.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734510350988-2796ce4b-8b604e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]During our presentation, we will address the bioethical policies and practices related to the right to know one’s origins in the context of donor conception. We will share our personal experiences and highlight the needs of donor-conceived individuals, particularly regarding the limitations of anonymity. I was the first person in France to identify my donor through a DNA test, and Audrey was the first to bring a case before the European Court of Human Rights to challenge the retroactive imposition of anonymity. Our presentation will explore potential legislative and psychosocial improvements to better support those affected.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1715320959069{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”8322″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734510769877{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Audrey Kermalvezen<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Audrey Kermalvezen was the first person conceived by gamete donation to take her case to the French courts in 2010, seeking access to her personal origins. After being rejected by the Council of State in 2015, she appealed to the European Court of Human Rights in 2016.<\/p>\n Audrey\u2019s application was rejected by 4 votes to 3 in the Gauvin-Fournis v France judgment of 7 September 2023. Her application to refer the case back to the Grand Chamber was rejected.<\/p>\n In the Bioethics Act of 2 August 2021, the French legislature enshrined the right of persons born of gamete donation to know the identity of the donor, subject to a number of conditions.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734511121666-64ed9598-bf5a4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]During our presentation, we will address the bioethical policies and practices related to the right to know one’s origins in the context of donor conception. We will share our personal experiences and highlight the needs of donor-conceived individuals, particularly regarding the limitations of anonymity. I was the first person in France to identify my donor through a DNA test, and Audrey was the first to bring a case before the European Court of Human Rights to challenge the retroactive imposition of anonymity. Our presentation will explore potential legislative and psychosocial improvements to better support those affected.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11791″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1740466342233{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Thomas Knoll-Biermann<\/span><\/strong><\/span> [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734511818435-c784321e-06634e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Hannah will speak about the legal system in England and Wales and the focus on that jurisdiction on the best interests of the child. She flaggs the challenges in the system along with what works well, for example, there are clear process in places through both the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act and the Children Act to secure the rights of both parents and children. Surrogacy cases are managed in the High court only and there has been a clear focus on children\u2019s rights both domestically and within the Convention and the need to provide them with security over (on occasions) an overly prescriptive application of processes. The HFEA provides clarity around identity issues with guidance from them for parents and children alike. Donors can lift their right to anonymity and there is access to information about a donor for each child. 10 different families are able to use the same donor and have a number of children each, so it’s possible that a child could have over 20 donor-conceived genetic siblings. \u00a0There are well known charitable supports in place.\u00a0 Hannah also highlighted some of the challenges in particular around international surrogacy cases and how changes internationally impact on British surrogacy arrangements and agreements (in particular immigration and validity of arrangements).<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”8230″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734511147852{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Laura Martinez-Mora<\/span><\/strong><\/span> For egg donation, regulations vary across countries regarding how recipients are prepared. We inform couples about obstetric risks, such as the increased likelihood of preeclampsia (twice the risk compared to spontaneous conception). As the recipient\u2019s age increases, other risks may also arise. To prevent potential medical and ethical complications, we provide a list of reputable centers that offer egg donation and maintain standards similar to our own. Sperm donation is available in Switzerland.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”8248″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734511308527{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Joelle Schickel<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Switzerland has a rather restrictive approach regarding ART (only sperm donation is permitted, and since 2001 anonymous donations are prohibited). There is a strict and explicit ban on surrogacy. Authorities must however deal with the question of parentage of children conceived and\/or born abroad although the Swiss legal framework was not designed with these new types of family formation in mind.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11240″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734509556866{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Ann Skelton<\/span><\/strong><\/span> [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”10226″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734530356515{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Nicolas Vulliemoz<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Surrogacy and gamete donation raise a number of sensitive and deeply personal identity issues for parents, children, families and donors. With examples from civil law jurisdictions, this session will identify emerging practices as to identity preservation for surrogacy born and donor conceived children.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [vc_row equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1715320936420{background-color: #ffffff !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_single_image source=”featured_image” img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text] Conception avec donneur et maternit\u00e9 de substitution : Pr\u00e9venir et traiter les complexit\u00e9s 7, 8 et 9 octobre 2025 [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] OVERVIEW [\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”1″ collapsible_all=”true”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11142,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[485],"tags":[],"information-type":[],"authors":[],"country":[325],"years":[335,575],"class_list":["post-11148","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-recherche","country-monde","years-2024-fr","years-2025-fr"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.child-identity.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11148","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.child-identity.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.child-identity.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.child-identity.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.child-identity.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11148"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/www.child-identity.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11148\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14006,"href":"https:\/\/www.child-identity.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11148\/revisions\/14006"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.child-identity.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.child-identity.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11148"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.child-identity.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11148"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.child-identity.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11148"},{"taxonomy":"information-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.child-identity.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/information-type?post=11148"},{"taxonomy":"authors","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.child-identity.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/authors?post=11148"},{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.child-identity.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=11148"},{"taxonomy":"years","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.child-identity.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/years?post=11148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}R\u00e9unions de pr\u00e9paration en ligne<\/h3>\n
R\u00e9sultats :<\/h3>\n
Reuniones preparatorias en l\u00ednea<\/h3>\n
Resultados:<\/h3>\n
SPEAKERS<\/h1>\n
\nI have a PhD in psychology and a background as a clinical psychologist and cognitive behavioral therapist. Throughout both my academic and clinical career, my main areas of interest have been personality, identity, attachment, emotion regulation, and complex trauma.
\nBeyond my professional career, I have been a dedicated researcher of the donor conceived experience ever since I learned about my own donor conceived status. I believe that my academic interest in the psychology and sociology of donor conception has been one of my ways of coping with and making sense of my own experience. As a result, I am well-versed in the academic literature on donor conception.
\nI have also been an active advocate for the rights of donor conceived people for many years. In Belgium, where gamete donation is still legally anonymous, there is still much work to be done. I try to contribute through collective and individual actions and by raising public awareness of donor conception issues. I do this by writing opinion pieces and policy recommendations, participating in study days and conferences, engaging with policy makers and influencers, and sharing my personal experiences and professional insights in the media. Since 2022, I have been part of the steering group of the Flemish \u2018Afstammingscentrum\u2019, where I strive to represent the donor conceived community.
\nIn recent years, I have educated myself in genetic genealogy and have helped donor conceived friends and acquaintances find out the identity of their donor parent through commercial DNA websites.
\nOver the past few years, I have become so inspired by advocacy work that I decided to shift my career towards human rights policy. Since 2024, I have been working as a policy officer for the Flemish expertise center for sexual health (Sensoa), where my focus is on the prevention of sexual harassment and abuse, with a particular emphasis on gender equality, LGBTQI+ rights, and children\u2019s rights.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734510246606-404e53f6-47154e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]The complexity of including donor conceived people\u2019s voices in research and policy<\/p>\n
\nSur Terre Via Donneur[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734510319030-cf609137-73964e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Vanessa Binder is a late discovery donor conceived person and the co-founder of the Swiss association “Sur Terre via\u00a0Donneur.euse”. She was conceived with the help of an anonymous\u00a0sperm donor\u00a0at the\u00a0Frauenklinik\u00a0in Bern in 1981 and born in Geneva in 1982.<\/p>\n
\nUN SR on sale and sexual exploitation (former), CHIP president[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734529295968-f70be64d-f7884e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Maud de Boer-Buquicchio<\/strong>\u00a0is internationally recognised as a leading expert in human rights. Notably she was appointed as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (2014 \u2013 2020) and was the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe (2002 \u2013 2012). Throughout her mandates, she has been focusing her attention on the fight against discrimination and violence, on the rights of the most vulnerable groups in society, in particular, children. She spearheaded three key Council of Europe Conventions: the Convention on action against trafficking in human beings, the Convention on the protection of children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse and the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. In her role as President of Child Identity Protection, she will bring with her decades of experience and determination in tackling sensitive issues connected to children\u2019s identity rights, such as those arising from illegal adoption practices, commercial surrogacy arrangements and other questionable commercial practices. Maud de Boer-Buquicchio is a fluent speaker of Dutch, English, French, Italian and German.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734529295995-49c3a61a-f0bb4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]This presentation focuses on international child rights norms to contemporary practices of surrogacy:\u00a0 especially commercial surrogacy.\u00a0 The presentation analyses the interrelationship between the rights of the child not to be sold, and other rights of the child, and the ways in which commercial surrogacy as currently practiced systemically and simultaenously violates multiple rights of the child. While surrogacy and the sale of children are often analysed primarily in terms of an interaction between the intending parents and surrogate mother (or gestational carrier), this presentation extends the traditional analysis to focus on the primary role of intermediaries.\u00a0 The presentation describes circumstances under which intermediaries may be primarily responsible as sellers of children to intending parents, and circumstances under which intermediaries may be secondarily complicit in the sale of children.\u00a0 The presentation concludes that researchers\u00a0 should focus more attention on the role of intermediaries.\u00a0 Further, states should focus enforcement and regulatory efforts primarily on intermediaries, who primarily structure commercial surrogacy markets.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11237″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1737013811112{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Nigel Cantwell<\/span><\/strong><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404628742{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1714411811039-d242ff40-94df1ba1-87e89758-5c322b2e-1ea74e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Dr Nigel Cantwell\u00a0<\/strong>is a Geneva-based international consultant on child protection policies. He founded the NGO Defence for Children International in 1979 and coordinated the inputs of the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child throughout the drafting of that treaty.\u00a0 Following six years leading work on child protection issues at UNICEF\u2019s Innocenti Research Centre, he has focused mainly on enhancing policy and practice for safeguarding the human rights of children affected by intercountry adoption and alternative care. In 2017, the University of Strathclyde awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his work.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734510037735-215dee25-4b2b4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Does the right to found a family imply a \u2018right\u2019 to have a child?<\/p>\n
\nPresident, Swiss Egg Donation Association[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1759606245027-d6daa3b2-6c4e4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Sandra Cesna is a federally recognised psychotherapist and founder of Mental Heroes, her private practice specialising in fertility and egg donation counselling.<\/p>\n
\nSocial Scientist, Hon. Fellow, U of York[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734514097231-57eb03b7-2c424e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Marilyn Crawshaw, PhD, MA CQSW DipApplSocStud BSc(Soc) https:\/\/www.york.ac.uk\/spsw\/staff\/marilyn-crawshaw\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\nPreparation pre-conception psycho-social issues<\/p>\n
\nThis paper considers which psycho-social approaches might be effective for improving preparation (for all parties), including by bringing lifespan needs (and beyond) of those yet-to-be conceived into the mix. It particularly considers why donors are relatively invisible in surrogacy arrangements, policy and research.<\/p>\n
\nNational post conception psycho-social support in the UK and elsewhere<\/p>\n
\nEvidence is growing \u2013 not least from accounts of those thus conceived and DNA-related research \u2013 that a range of peer and professional services might be required at different life stages or to meet specific time-limited needs. The historical and present day uncovering of \u2018fertility fraud\u2019 and mass donors and the lack of global limits & regulation brings this into stark relief.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”10242″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734532506604{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Mia Dambach<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nExecutive Director, Child Identity Protection[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734530391481-e0766689-ed574e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Mia Dambach<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 is a human rights advocate with 20 years\u2019 experience of working on children\u2019s rights, starting her career as a children\u2019s lawyer in Australia. As the Executive Director she brings with her leadership, project management and research skills to ensure that children\u2019s identity rights are better protected worldwide.\u00a0 She has provided technical support, mostly on behalf on UNICEF, through evaluation missions in Cambodia, Denmark, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sudan, Ukraine and Viet Nam, legislative reviews and training in over 20 countries focusing on alternative care, adoption and surrogacy. She has contributed to reforms in international standards through this support as well as comparative research on illegal adoptions, search for origins, risks of financial contributions, kafalah and was an expert to the HCCH WG on illicit adoption practices and WG on parentage\/surrogacy. She has successfully led multiple international inter-agency initiatives including three massive online courses that have reached over 50,000 participants. With a family background from Australia, the Philippines and Switzerland, she understands the importance of children having access to their origins.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734530391508-a30184f0-980a4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Third party reproduction including through\u00a0<\/span>surrogacy and\/or international arrangements, is increasingly used as a method of family formation around the world. Multiple human rights violations may arise for children in these situations \u2013 particularly, their right to an identity, including name, nationality, family relations and access to origins; the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health; and the right to not be sold. Decisions may be made by adults may at time be discriminatory based on the child\u2019s disability and\/or gender, and which are contrary to the child\u2019s best interests as the paramount consideration. Children born in these situations have the same rights as all children under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Regardless of individual State positions, all States have a duty to protect the human rights of all children without discrimination, including ensuring appropriate regulatory frameworks exist at the national level to protect and promote their rights. This presentation seeks to present promising practices across the world that seek to better respect the rights of children born through these biotechnological methods.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”8287″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1759606670740{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Kirsten Di Martino<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nSenior Child Protection Advisor, UNICEF Headquarters[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1759606234969-0e5a2632-92ca4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Kirsten has over 25 years of experience in human rights, child rights and child protection programme leadership and management, including over 20 years of experience with UNICEF in Kosovo, Moldova, China, Lao PDR and Germany where she led UNICEF\u2019s Refugee and Migrant Response from 2016-2018. Since 2018 she is the global lead for Child Protection Systems Strengthening, including social welfare and justice systems, in UNICEF Headquarters. Kirsten has extensive experience in child protection, including policy and legislative reform, successfully leading, and supporting reforms at the national level to better protect children, including on prevention and response to violence against children, justice for children, trafficking, migration, social welfare\/social work, care reform\/alternative care and birth registration. Prior to UNICEF, Kirsten worked with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the European Commission, Defense for Children International, and the International Social Service. She holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Human Rights Law.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1759606235058-55448dfa-75234e99-5eca”][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1715320959069{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11243″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734510374774{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Ya\u00ebl Ilan<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nDonor Conception Network & DC parent[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734511031251-3b04ca17-b2984e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Since 2015 I have worked at the Donor Conception Network, a UK charity supporting people considering egg or\/and sperm donation to build or grow their families or those who have created their families through third+ party reproduction.<\/p>\n
\nBioethics policies and practices
\nAstrid Indekeu: DONAE, KU Leuven,
\nDirect-to-consumer-genetic testing has changed the practice of donor conception immensely: donor anonymity cannot be guaranteed anymore and questions are raised about who should be the gatekeeper of the donor\u2019s information and about the legal age limits to access donor information, adult donor-conceived people find out by accident they are donor-conceived and a question is raised if there is a responsibility to the generation of parents that was advised non-disclosure to their child\/ren, fertility fraud cases are discovered (a different donor being used, the doctor being the donor, large number of offspring per donor) and question are raised about how to handle these situations from the past in relation to the involved families, ,\u2026. Situations we are confronted with in practice. How does or can bioethical policies support practice (or not)?<\/p>\n
\nPromising practices
\nAstrid Indekeu: DONAE, POINT, IICO
\nOver the years there have been some encouraging developments regarding the implementation of counseling during a fertility trajectory with a growing professionalization of the offered care (through guidelines, professional organisations, embedment in the law,\u2026) and the development of donor-linking services. On the other hand, challenges remain more than present: regarding a lack of support throughout the different life-stages of a family formed by donor conception (so between \u2018start of fertility path\u2019 and \u2018donor-linking\u2019 stage), support for donor-conceived people, donors, an upcoming commercial model within health-care and the impact of fertility counseling, etc.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”8290″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734512125944{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Philip Jaff\u00e9<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nCRC Committee member[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734511443230-dbe8fdf7-b0fa4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Philip D. Jaff\u00e9 est professeur honoraire \u00e0 l\u2019Universit\u00e9 de Gen\u00e8ve. Il a cofond\u00e9 son Centre interfacultaire en droits de l\u2019enfant et l\u2019a dirig\u00e9 de 2008 \u00e0 2019. En 2018, il est \u00e9lu au Comit\u00e9 des droits de l\u2019enfant des Nations Unies et il accomplit son deuxi\u00e8me mandat jusqu\u2019en 2027. Psychologue clinicien et forensique, form\u00e9 en Suisse et aux USA, il exerce encore comme psychoth\u00e9rapeute et expert aux tribunaux. Sa vision professionnelle a toujours \u00e9t\u00e9 de servir la soci\u00e9t\u00e9 civile comme scientifique praticien.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734511443260-2926299a-6fd24e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]The right to identity in the CRC goes beyond legal perspectives, touching upon psychosocial aspects that go to the very heart of a child\u2019s being, their development and well-being \u2013 their origins. Given the importance of preserving and accessing information about origins, the CRC Committee in it is exchanges with States parties regularly recommends to them to ensure that children born through third party reproduction can have access to this information. This session unpacks these different psychosocial elements that contribute to the child being able to fully enjoy their identity.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”8319″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734510986213{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Arthur Kermalvezen<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nOrigines – donor-conceived person[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734510350957-833056da-00df4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Conceived through gamete donation, which he has always known.<\/p>\n
\nOrigines – donor-conceived person[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404620072{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734511121634-a2eb5fd5-842e4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Audrey trained as a lawyer and specialised in bioethics law before discovering that she owed her conception to gamete donation, which she learned at the age of 29. She has been an active campaigner for the recognition of every person\u2019s right to know their origins for some fifteen years. She co-founded the ORIGINES association with Arthur Kelmavezen-Fournis. Author of an essay-document \u2018Mes origines : une affaire d\u2019\u00c9tat\u2019, under the name Audrey Kermalvezen, foreword by Professor Isra\u00ebl Nisand, published by Max Milo, 2014.<\/p>\n
\nHead of the Law on Parent and Child Matters Division, Federal Ministry of Justice of Germany[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1740466255914-d065473a-34654e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Thomas Knoll-Biermann is Head of the Law on Parent and Child Matters Division, Federal Ministry of Justice of Germany. He is a trained lawyer and has been working for 6 years in a law firm, followed by almost 14 years in the German government. Since 2019 he has been holding the current position, having been in charge of diverse political reform projects, co-organized the subgroup considering a legalization of egg donation and altruistic surrogacy of the (German) Federal Government’s Committee of Experts (2023-2024), drafting laws to modernize the law of legal parenthood and open it for co-mothers, non-binary parents, tackle the competition between biologic and social fathers, bolster pathways for a child to know his or her origins and to combat abusing recognition of paternity to obtain citizenship or residence permits. These reforms remain substantial topics for the future. Starting in 2020, he joined the Council of Europe\u2019s Committee of Experts on the Rights and Best Interests of the Child in Parental Separation and Care Proceedings (CJ\/ENF-ISE) first as a member. From 2022 to 2024 he led the Committee to the adoption of two draft Recommendations (one on parental separation, the second on care proceedings), which are now to be considered by the political bodies of the Council of Europe. In November 2024, he was selected as a member of the new Committee of Experts on the Rights to Know One\u2019s Origins (CJ-OR) of the Council of Europe and appointed as Chair of this Committee. The Committee has been entrusted to deliver a draft Recommendation on the matter by end of 2026, the first meeting of the Committee will take place in June 2025.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1740466255971-bd8ac263-23b04e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]During the event I plan to give insights into the work of the Council of Europe on the matter of the right to know one’s origins, texts adopted in the past as well as about the current Committee of Experts, the tasks given and the progress made so far. I will show – with a particular regard to the legislative framework in Germany – how it works here and what has yet to be addressed. In addition, I would like to share and discuss experiences and insights from other European jurisdictions about their handling of the medically or non-medically assisted human reproduction and the right to know one’s origins.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11434″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734510430685{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Loos<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nDonor[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734511108592-af9d4423-0ba34e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]My name is H\u00e9l\u00e8ne LOOS. I am a 34 years old lawyer, living in Strasbourg (France). I am not maried and I don\u2019t have kids. I donated my eggs in September 2021.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734511108616-5bb6a061-af684e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Waiting for Abstract[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11779″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734510473346{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Florencia Luna<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nEthicist[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734511117151-32e02307-cb034e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Florencia Luna (M.A.)(Ph.D.) directs the Program of Bioethics in FLACSO (Latin American School of Social Sciences) Argentina. She is researcher (Superior Researcher at CONICET (National Scientific and Technological Research Council). She is the PI of a Fogarty (FIC-US) Training Grant on research ethics (2016-2026).\u00a0 She has been the President of the International Association of Bioethics (IAB) during 2003 to 2005. She has won the Guggenheim Foundation Fellow (2006) and has been awarded the Konnex Prize: Honor Diploma in Ethics in 2006. She has been appointed to the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) of Tropical Disease Research (TDR) at WHO (2011-2016). She was in the Steering Committee of Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) working on the International Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects (2002). Member or the Steering Committee of the Global Forum on Bioethics in Research (GFBR) (2005-2008 and 2012-2017). She is the author of several books\u00a0 and has also published articles in national and international journals as well as in edited books.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734511117177-0e0775ee-6f354e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]This presentation will tackle various complexities from the ethics perspective in third party reproduction. I will present the different angles and problems assisted reproduction has faced and the evolution of the ethical problems since this practice begun. At the beginning the ethical analysis was centered on the moral permissibility of the practice itself, in the desire of adults, or on concerns regarding the manipulation of embryos. With the acceptance of different kinds of families (solo parents, same sex parents, etc.) and the internet, \u201cnew\u201d issues regarding anonymity and children needs have arisen. I will show how ethics provides support for the human rights perspective and the needs children born through these circumstances[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1715320959069{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”12966″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734511475258{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Hannah Markham<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nDeputy High Court Judge & Barrister[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734511818411-416159eb-2f7e4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
\nHCCH[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734510434370-4eb43d28-6a494e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Works as a Secretary (Lawyer) at the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH). She is responsible for the post-Convention work in relation to the HCCH 1993 Convention on Child Protection and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, as well as the Parentage \/ Surrogacy project. Laura has also worked on children\u2019s issues at the International Social Service (Switzerland); UNICEF (Chile); the European Commission (Belgium) and the Council of Europe (France). She received her law degree from the University of Valencia (Spain), a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Law with a specialisation in child\u2019s rights (University of London, UK), and a Diploma in Child Protection and Juvenile Justice (University Diego Portales, Chile).[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734510434404-273d69a7-7a564e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]The HCCH Working Group on Parentage \/ Surrocacy is exploring provisions for a new instrument on this topic, to further inform CGAP on policy considerations in relation to the scope and content of such instrument, including on the feasibility of reaching consensus. The Working Group is proceeding on the basis that the aim of any new instrument would be to provide greater predictability, certainty and continuity of legal parentage in international situations for all persons concerned, taking into account their human rights, including, for children, those enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and in particular their right that their best interests be a primary consideration in all actions taken concerning them.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”12961″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1758517463055{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Capucine Page<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nSenior Legal Officer, HCCH[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1758517382116-ad99f968-9b644e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Capucine Page is Senior Legal Officer at the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH). She works specifically on the HCCH\u00a0Convention of 29 May 1993 on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption\u00a0<\/i>and the HCCH Parentage \/ Surrogacy Project. She holds a LL.M. in International Children\u2019s Rights from the University of Leiden (Netherlands).[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1758517382249-3c7d1e44-4d294e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]The HCCH Working Group on the Parentage \/ Surrogacy Project is currently working on exploring provisions for, if possible, one new instrument on legal parentage generally, including legal parentage resulting from an international surrogacy arrangement. The Working Group has had to proceed on the basis that the aim of any new instrument would be to provide greater predictability, certainty and continuity of legal parentage in international situations for all persons concerned, taking into account their human rights, including, for children, those enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and in particular their right that their best interests be a primary consideration in all actions taken concerning them.\u00a0The Working Group has already met four times since 2023 and should meet for its fifth meeting in November 2025 before it submits its Final Report to the HCCH Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP), which will meet in March 2026. CGAP 2026 will then be expected to take a decision as to the future of the project.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11568″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734529002613{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Sharon Pettle<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nClinical Psychologist & Psychotherapist[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734528596886-ab9ac346-12d64e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Dr Sharon Pettle qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 1983, and subsequently completed her Systemic Family Therapy training in the UK and through a Clinical Fellowship at Brown University, USA. She spent most of her career in the National Health Service offering both in- and out-patient care within the wider context of child, adolescent and family mental health. She has been involved with families who have used donated gametes and\/or surrogacy to create their families for over 25 years, and conducted research in this area. She has worked therapeutically with a wide range of families at different stages of family development, including after late revelations about the involvement of donors. She was instrumental in creating groups for young people growing up in families where this information is shared – the only ones run worldwide. She is considered a specialist in this area and has been instructed in cases in Courts in England & Wales where the use of donors and\/or surrogates feature. She has provided training in this area to a range of professionals and in a number of countries.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734528596916-1ca5c0a4-f9504e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]This presentation intends to share examples of challenges faced by individuals and families across the lifespan. This will illustrate the need for skills and knowledge to be enhanced for many different professionals. It will also share details of complex situations which have evolved and which courts have needed to attempt to unravel.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1715320959069{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11514″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1737016622539{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Anna Raggi<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nfertisuisse Basel and Olten[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1737016559320-c53e2343-e31e4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Management activity as cofounder of the clinic fertisuisse in Olten and Basel. Passionate practitioner in fertisuisse\u00a0 with particular interest in third-party treatment as oocyte and semen donation. As well as counselor for infertile couples\u00a0 and in the Menopause Medicine. Different tasks as committee member of different society. The most important task is now writing clinical guidelines for the egg donation in Switzerland\u00a0 and helping politician in the draft of the law for the legalisation of it.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1737016559353-9dc534e7-c8c64e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Medical issues during pre-conception preparation are important for both sperm and egg donation, with a particular focus on egg donation. Women in this group are often older, which increases the risks associated with pregnancy. In contrast, sperm donation usually involves younger couples, where the future mother will carry her biological child. We prioritize the overall health of all couples, paying special attention to any gynecological issues the woman may have in order to prepare her medically for pregnancy.<\/p>\n
\nHead of PIL Section, FOJ[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734510673378-c2d420d9-64e54e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Jo\u00eblle SCHICKEL-K\u00dcNG <\/b>is Deputy Head of the Private Law Division and Co-Head of the Private International Law Unit (PIL Unit), Federal Office of Justice of Switzerland. She is a trained lawyer and has been working for 15 years in the Swiss government on issues of cross-border child protection and family law. As Co-Head of the PIL Unit she is in charge of the child protection and family law area which includes legislative reforms as well as the Central Authority function under the Hague Conventions of 1993 (intercountry adoptions, which also includes questions around search of origins), 1996 (international child protection) and 1980 (international child abduction). She served as Chair of the HCCH Experts\u2019 group on the Parentage\/Surrogacy Project of the HCCH (2016-2022) and is currently a member of the HCCH Working Group on the same topic.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734510673404-13a1294f-d3d64e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Day 2 – Legal, policies and practices (pre-conception, conception and post-conception) – National issues<\/i><\/p>\n
\nCRC Committee Chair (former), Professor Universities of Leiden and Pretoria[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404628742{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734509567489-27a9a33b-c5f94e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Ann Skelton is a Professor of Law and holds the Chair on Children\u2019s Rights in a Sustainable World at the University of Leiden, where she is programme director on the Advanced Masters in International Children\u2019s Rights. She also holds the UNESCO Chair in Education Law at the University of Pretoria. She is a visiting Professor at Strathclyde, and teaches children\u2019s rights in the Masters in International Human Rights Law at Oxford. She established the strategic litigation work at the Centre for Child Law, and appeared as counsel in numerous landmark cases in the South African Constitutional Court. She was a member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child from 2017 to 2025, and was Chairperson from May 2023 to Feb 2025.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734509600132-c6aad475-09794e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]The CRC Committee first mentioned ART in 1994 in its concluding observations to Norway, questioning whether donor anonymity was compatible with children’s right to identity.\u00a0 After this promising start, the Committee’s attention to this issue drifted, but in recent years, there are signs of renewed attention. This presentation will take a tour through how the Committee has dealt with these issues in its concluding observations over the years, and determine from that what the Committee’s approach is to the child rights impacts of ART and surrogacy.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11256″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734529344692{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]David Smolin<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nProfessor University of Samford[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734529266430-9fca5305-c3944e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Prof. David Smolin\u00a0<\/strong>is the Harwell G. Davis Professor of Constitutional Law, and Director, Center for Children, Law, and Ethics, at Cumberland Law School, Samford University. He has served as an independent expert for the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) on intercountry adoption issues, and has served as an external expert for the International Reference Centre for the rights of children deprived of their family, of the International Social Service (ISS\/IRC), on issues related to children\u2019s rights, adoption, and surrogacy, notably the Verona principles. He teaches in the areas of constitutional law, bioethics and law, family and juvenile law, children\u2019s rights, and criminal law and procedure. Many of his publications are available for free download\u00a0here<\/a>. He has worked together with his wife, Desiree Smolin, on analysis and reform of adoption systems and practices, and sometimes contributes to the adoption blog she co-founded:\u00a0Click here<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734529266463-b8fb28b2-76604e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Waiting for Abstract[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1715320959069{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11431″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734532436396{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Ankie Vandekerckhove<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nCo\u00f6rdinator Afstammingscentrum[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734530377500-a8da511f-cfbe4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]I studied law and criminology at the Ghent University and was working at the Ghent Centre for the Rights of the Child of the late prof. Dr. E. Verhellen, when the CRC was unanimously agreed upon at the UN General Assembly. I have been working on children\u2019s rights and human rights in general ever since, in several different settings. Most importantly in this area, I served the maximum of 2 terms as first Flemish Children\u2019s Rights Commissioner and did advisory work for the Council of Europe (Child Friendly Justice Guidelines), for Unicef, for the European Union and others. I also worked as a lawyer at the Ghent bar, as a legal advisor in a public agency on family and child policies and as a project worker in an ECEC Expertise Centre.
\nSince april 2021 I am coordinating the Afstammingscentrum, established by the Flemish government to support people in search of their origins and strengthening their right to information on their genetic background and original family information. More info on www.afstammingscentrum.be<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734530377528-d91d83f9-11b34e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]During the event I plan to illustrate the mission, context and daily work of the Afstammingscentrum, with a focus on donor conception. I will touch on aspects like:<\/p>\n\n
\nDirector CPMA[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1740466240414-4da86dd1-e45e4e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Waiting for Biography[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734529303311-fc7e8972-c0b84e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Waiting for Abstract[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”11246″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1734511869610{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]Michael Wells-Greco<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nLaywer, Senior Lecturer[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion c_icon=”triangle” c_position=”right” active_section=”99″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1714404609749{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Biography” tab_id=”1734511831388-ba69db89-5cc54e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Michael advises on cross-border family, child and succession law matters. He has considerable experience in disputes relating to children (custody, relocation, child abduction (Hague and non\u2013Hague)), both within and outside of the Court forum. Michael is highly sought after to advise on co-parenting agreements and adoption matters.
\nMichael teaches private international law and international family law subject matters and is a consultant lawyer to the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Abstract” tab_id=”1734511831410-fc1ab110-da344e99-5eca”][vc_column_text]Day 2 – Legal, policies and practices (pre-conception, conception and post-conception) – National issues<\/p>\n