Offers from Back to the Roots

From the very beginning, Back to the Roots has set itself the goal of giving adopted people and their families in Sri Lanka a voice. The organisation also aims to raise awareness in society about international adoption.

Back to the Roots is currently funded by the Confederation and the cantons to accompany and support adopted people from Sri Lanka in the process of finding their origins. You can find more information about this at the end of the article.

Back to the Roots has created a counselling service for adoptees from other countries of origin. Please contact us on info@backotheroots.net in order to get the conditions.

For adopted persons from all other countries of origin, the association offers telephone counselling until further notice:

Wednesday, 8 - 10 am: 076 373 79 23

(Important: there is no telephone counselling during company holidays)

Accompaniment and tracing origins

«There is only one true path: yours" - As simple as it may seem, this path of searching for your origins can be a challenge. Where do I start? Where does it take me? What am I discovering? What are my expectations?

You're not alone in asking yourself all these questions. Many people have asked themselves the same questions and have found that they are an integral part of their personal process.

Back to the Roots has conducted a number of experiments since 2018. These have been incorporated into the current offer of guidance and support. The people involved have questions and often no answers. Back to the Roots' support helps to bring structure to the demanding and time-consuming process of tracing one's origins. This means that adoptees are supervised by experienced counsellors and encouraged to build their own path - and therefore their own story.

Political support

Without political support, Back to the Roots would not have been able to make progress in many areas. Conversely, the concerns of adopted people always need politicians to relay them. The association is in contact with politicians and is always looking for people to support its political demands, whether through political interventions, motions or proposals to amend legislation. Back to the Roots' political commitment concerns not only its historical work, but also the future: the injustice committed must not be repeated.

Research projects in progress

Back to the Roots has been committed to dialogue since the association was founded: the association has always been keen to participate in research projects, expert groups and supra-cantonal bodies. It is only when those affected can voice their concerns in their own way that they are seen as equals.

The results of research projects and other bodies such as expert groups, specialist events, etc. are published here.

Independent group of experts and the ban of international adoptions

Since 2022, Back to the Roots has been actively involved in the federal government's expert group on international adoptions. The remit of the interdisciplinary group was to draw up recommendations for defining a Swiss policy on international adoption. A particular focus was placed on developing a system that promotes the welfare of children and safeguards their rights. The group was keen to contribute its expertise and experience to the dialogue in order to jointly find solutions that do justice to the best interests of children at an international level.

As a representative of the interests of those affected, it was important for Back to Roots to emphasise the importance of coming to terms with the past, so that lessons can be learned from past mistakes and the right to know one's own parentage can be demanded for adopted persons.

Find the report below (not available in English). For more information about the federal process see this link.

Research report ‘Mother unknown’ by the cantons of Zurich and Thurgau

On 27 September 2024, a team of researchers led by Prof. Dr. Rita Kesselring (HSG) published a detailed research report on adoptions in India from 1973-2002 on behalf of the cantons of Zurich and Thurgau. The main aim of the research work was to comprehensively examine the chapter of out-of-home placements. The results caused dismay, helplessness and anger among those affected. And once again highlight the urgent need for action!