St. John’s University in conjunction with New York University (NYU), Rutgers and Montclair State served as co-sponsors in presenting the Fifth Biennial Adoption Conference at NYU. The October 24 session was held at NYU’s Cantor Film Center and the October 25 session was in the school’s Silver Center. Photo Gallery The conference based its presentation on the theme: “Identity and the Adopted Teen: Surviving the Crucible of Adolescence.” In today’s society an increasing number of individuals are looking at adoption as a way to form their families. These people are now facing adoption questions and issues for which they are unprepared and for which the professional and academic communities have little commentary. Concerned with the lack of awareness and understanding by the professional and academic communities about the fundamental challenges which affect the lives of so many, St. John’s University created a structure to aid the community with the adoption process. The Office of Post-Graduate Professional Development Programs, under the direction of Dr. Rafael A. Javier, Clinical Professor of Psychology at St. John’s University, encourages and promotes a better and more profound understanding of the most critical adoption issues affecting our society at large.
In addition, there was a presentation to Special Outstanding Recognition Award Recipients - Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao and Dr. Betty Jean Lipton. The Biennial Adoption Conference co-sponsor organizations and institutions included: St. John's University; Montclair State University; Rutgers University School of Social Work Institute for Families; Asian/Pacific/American Studies Institute at New York University and the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at St. John’s University.