The NCRC successfully wrapped up the first international seminar on foster care system under the theme of “Changes and Development of Foster Care System in Korea, US and Japan” on Dec. 14, 2020 via its official YouTube channel.

The seminar was kicked off by presentations of Professor Hyuna Kang (Sookmyung Women’s University, Korea), Professor Peter J. Pecora (University of Washington, USA) and Professor Kayoko ITO (Osaka City University, Japan) to introduce the current developments of foster care system of each country and share related challenges. Following this, a panel discussion, moderated by President Sun Hee Baek (Korea Institute of Child Care and Education), was held among Associate Professor EunJu Lee (University at Albany), Associate Professor MinHo Kang (Doshisha University), Associate Research Fellow SangJung Lee (Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs) and Head SunSook Kim (NCRC Child Policy Evaluation Center).

Both speakers and panels have provided insightful advice such as putting priority on the views of children, expanding the scope of the general foster care system, narrowing the age gap between foster parents and children to be placed and strengthening support for original families.

About 130 people who watched this seminar via online were also given a chance to communicate and ask questions through LiveChat.

President Yoon Hye-mee of the NCRC said, “Professor Peter J. Pecora of the US has particularly provided meaningful insights on goals, principles and services of our foster care system. The cases and policy experiences of both the US and Japan will be of great help for us to further improve Korea’s foster care system.”