One Family / Cherish 40th Anniversary
The Pillar Room at the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin 1, Thursday 18 October 2012
6.15pm Gather and tea/coffee
6.30pm Seminar begins with a welcome from One Family President Mary Henry
Setting the scene for Cherish: Ireland in the 1960s for unmarried mothers – Catriona Crowe, Senior Archivist, National Archives of Ireland
Cherish: the early days – Maura O’Dea Richards, founder of One Family
Social change over the 40 years and highlights of the journey towards a more progressive attitude to non-traditional families – Fintan O’Toole, Assistant Editor, Irish Times
Looking forward: upcoming legal and social challenges – Geoffrey Shannon, Special Rapporteur on Child Protection and Chair of Adoption Authority
Personal reflections and government policy – Minister Frances Fitzgerald, Department of Children & Youth Affairs
Closing by One Family Director, Karen Kiernan
8pm Drinks and canapé reception