Mulugeta (Ph.D.), EmebetAsrat, Sisay2020-09-292023-11-042020-09-292023-11-042020-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/22516The overall intent of this study is to explore and appraise the practical and legal implications of the ban of Intercountry Adoption on the best interest of orphan and vulnerable children in Ethiopia. The applied research design is a case study qualitative research approach. Data has been collected from the review of relevant literatures, interview of two key informants, five in-depth interview participants and an observation, conducted through a purposive sampling selection of the participants. After analysing the collected data thematically, the findings of the study have revealed that the ban on the Intercountry adoption in Ethiopia has both a positive and negative practical and legal implication on the best interest of the orphan and vulnerable children. The identified positive implication of the ban on the orphan and vulnerable children if properly and adequately substituted by the domestic child care mechanisms in a way that serves their best interest is, an opportunity to grow up in their own communities` culture and norms. However, the study has also revealed the negative implications of the ban on the psychology, economy, health and wellbeing of the orphan and vulnerable children as well as its impact to the community they live in. In addition, with regard to the legal implication of the ban on the orphan and vulnerable children, the findings of the study reveal that the absolute ban of Intercountry adoption in the absence of adequate and functional domestic alternatives that can provide for the highly orphan and vulnerable children with their needs, directly violates their special entitlement to an alternative child care through Intercountry adoption. The study implies that, an absolute shut down of the Intercountry adoption in the process of laying the foundation of systematized and efficient domestic childcare mechanisms is not in the best interest of the orphan and vulnerable children, rather a clear violation of their special entitlements for a better and safe living atmosphere that guarantees their holistic development through the options of alternative childcare mechanism. Finally, based on the findings, the study recommends for the government to enact additional policies that could address the possible challenges of the Intercountry adoption, implement it in ways that can only and strictly operate to serve the best interest of the orphan and vulnerable children as a last resort after all the domestic childcare mechanisms are exhausted.enThe Role of Spirituality as A Coping Mechanism: The Case of the Elderly People Facing the Challenges of Loneliness in Addis AbabaThesis