MBL Adoption Dialogue – Series 10 | A Special Session for Adoptees
THEME for 2026
Lucky, Unlucky, or Somewhere in Between?
Date & Time
14 June 2026 (Sunday)
15:00–16:30 (UK英国)
10:00–11:30 (US/Canada East 美东)
07:00–08:30 (US/Canada West 美西)
22:00–23:30 (China 中国)
00:00–01:30, 15 June (Sydney 悉尼)
Introduction
In conversations about adoption, the word “lucky” is often used as a simple explanation. But lived experiences are rarely simple.
This session centres the voices of adoptees — exploring identity, belonging, memory, and growth across cultures and life stages.
About the Dialogue
The MBL Adoption Dialogue, established in 2024, is a global platform for communication, support, and raising social awareness around adoption.
The series has collaborated with adoptees and partner organisations in Canada, the United States, Norway, and the United Kingdom, and continues to grow as a cross-cultural international dialogue platform.
This Session
Series 10 continues the 2026 theme “Lucky, Unlucky, or Somewhere in Between?”, this time focusing on adoptees themselves.
Bringing together voices from both within China and outside China, this session offers a broader and more nuanced understanding of adoption experiences.
Speakers
Shen Yang
Author of More Than One Child, Shen Yang reflects on her childhood as an “excess-born” child during the One Child Policy era. She will share her experience of growing up within China, including family separation, rural childhood, and memory.
Shaosheen
A UK-based Chinese adoptee and creator of the podcast Not Made in China. She will share her lived experience of growing up as an adoptee outside China, and her journey of identity, voice, and connection.
Cat
A PhD researcher studying the lived experiences of British Chinese adoptees. Cat will share insights from her doctoral research, exploring identity, belonging, and the adoptee experience.
Co-host (Q&A)
Hannah-Mei (CACH-ALL)
Hannah-Mei is a Chinese adoptee and Chair of CACH-ALL, a UK charity supporting intercountry adoptees and their families. She was adopted from Guangdong in 1997 and now works as a lawyer in London.
Programme (90 mins)
Opening Remarks
Introduction to MBL
Adoption Dialogue Overview
Speaker Sharing
Q&A (Moderated by CACH-ALL)
Closing Remarks
Platform
Topic: MBL Adoption Dialogue – Series 10
Time: Jun 14, 2026 03:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://brookes.zoom.us/j/83061700884
View meeting insights with Zoom AI Companion
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Meeting ID: 830 6170 0884
Previous Themes
2024
Series 1: Q&A with Xinran
Series 2: Birth Family Search
Series 3: Norway Adoption Dialogue
Series 4: How Are We?
2025 – Adoption Healing
Series 5: Being Adopted
Series 6: Having Adopted
Series 7: Reunion
Series 8: Writers Dialogue
2026
Series 9: Adoptive Parents Session
Closing
Perhaps adoption is not simply lucky or unlucky. What matters most is our willingness to listen.