I CARE FOUNDATION
- PETER SENESE -
THE INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION
RESEARCH & ENLIGHTENMENT FOUNDATION
The Foundation's Board of Directors and Special Advisory Board consists of child advocates possessing diverse, but qualified skill sets that enable the Foundation to socially contribute in efforts and dialog created to protect children from the criminal act of international parental kidnapping and child abuse, as international parental child abduction is a serious offense against innocent, defenseless children.
Please note the BREAKING NEWS at the bottom!
Website:
Blogspot:
Video - A Life Filled With Magic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7xAaHVO12rA
Video: Summer vacation and International Parental Child Abduction:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4x0orTERGgY
READ MORE
Clancy's comment: Wow! Well done. I'd encourage anyone to check out the above videos. Thanks, Peter. Admire your work and passion. Great videos. Keep going.
Love ya work!
I'm ...
G'day guys,
Today I introduce an organisation concerned about child abduction and I interview the founder of the I CARE FOUNDATION - Peter Senese, author and multi-talented humanitarian. The
Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation registered under the
corporation laws of New York State. It is a self-funded organization
and does not accept contributions or donations from the public. The
I CARE Foundation was created by notable child advocates possessing
expertise and knowledge in the area of international parental child
abduction prevention and reunification.
The Foundation's Board of Directors and Special Advisory Board consists of child advocates possessing diverse, but qualified skill sets that enable the Foundation to socially contribute in efforts and dialog created to protect children from the criminal act of international parental kidnapping and child abuse, as international parental child abduction is a serious offense against innocent, defenseless children.
Welcome, Peter. Tell us more about you and the Foundation ...
WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT JOB?
Outside
of my professional work in the entertainment
and technology spheres, I am the Founding
Director of the International Child Abduction Research & Enlightenment
Foundation, widely known as the I
CARE Foundation. The foundation is a
self-funded non-profit organization dedicated to stopping the dangerous crime
that targets children known as international parental child abduction and
trafficking.
As
a child advocacy organization, the I CARE
Foundation has helped pass new laws in the United States and alter existing
policies that have been instrumental in the remarkable outbound child abduction
decline by 15% in each of the last 2 years after nearly 30 years of
steadfast growth. Along the way we have
been influential in reuniting numerous kidnapped children with their targeted
parents.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE HUMAN RIGHTS?
I
am not sure if anyone really chooses ‘human rights’. In reality I think most everyone has within
them the desire and intent to be connected with each other through
kindness. That spirit and each of our
desires to enrich the human condition is part of our fabric. So it is natural
for advocates to want to raise their voice on behalf of those in need: it is
part of who we are. This said, I think that having courage to raise our voice
is critical. Finding your courage – true courage – is not easy. However, when you do, there is a remarkable
event that takes place: true spiritual freedom because in finding and embracing
courage to first say ‘this is who I am’ by living in your morals, values, and
ethics, a person can become unbowed to the distractions around them and live in
freedom.
Along
my own life journey, I have learned what it is to have and embrace
courage. Through it, I have become a
more vocal voice for those less fortunate than I am.
HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN HUMAN RIGHTS? WAS IT ONE
PARTICULAR INCIDENT?
My
volunteer efforts trying to assist children in crisis, particularly children
targeted for abduction and kidnapping was born out of my family’s own nightmare
that included an extensive scheme of international child abduction that would
have had my son lost forever. The novel ‘Chasing The Cyclone’ I have
written draws from these experiences.
So
my starting point really was when I decided to use my voice as an author to
share with the world the reality that international parental child abduction is
a major pandemic that destroys children. From sharing this story, Chasing
The Cyclone has been called a
book of miracles. It is the seed that started the I CARE Foundation and the
catalyst of helping many children.
WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF HUMAN RIGHTS?
I
think it is a rather simple definition: the life-given right for each person to
equally pursue happiness, liberty, and freedom without threat or fear to
celebrate and live their life based upon their own morals, values and ethics so
long as these beliefs do not violate the rights of others to pursue happiness.
DO YOU DO ‘PRO-BONO’ WORK IN HUMAN RIGHTS CASES?
The
I CARE Foundation’s work is conducted on a pro-bono basis. We previously launched a national campaign to
recruit attorneys who offer pro bono services for children in crisis of
abduction to participate in the United States Department
of State’s Hague Attorney Network, and, we have actively built the I CARE
Foundation’s attorney network. Along
the way, we have helped reunite many children of abduction with their parents
and stopped an even greater number of international kidnappings. I am often
reminded of the importance of our work when I read the many letters from
families who we have helped.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES IN THE WORLD AS YOU SEE
THEM?
We
surely have many things that need to be addressed. However, I will refrain from
sharing my expansive views and answer by saying that society as a whole must
really embrace the concept that we are all global citizens. We are countrymen
and countrywomen to the human race. And
we must enhance, enrich, and protect each other’s rights to pursue happiness
while also assisting in maintaining a standard for each person so they can
actually pursue happiness without threat or fear.
HOW CAN ORDINARY PEOPLE HELP, OR BECOME INVOLVED?
Our
world has changed, and social media has allowed individuals from around the
world who share views or concerns to mobilize. It is remarkable. In my world as
a child abduction prevention advocate, the I CARE Foundation reached out to the
world of parent blog
writers, and asked if they would use their incredibly influential voices to
raise awareness of the warning signs and risk factors of international parental
child abduction – a crime that sees children at grave risk of violence and/or
murder by their abducting parent. The
result? After nearly 30 years of outbound reported growth of child abduction in
the U.S., the international kidnapping rate declined by 15% during the last two
reporting years of 2011 and 2012. So,
the way to get involved is to raise your voice. Volunteer a little of your
time. But most of all the way an ordinary person can make a difference is to
hold onto the courage and belief that your voice matters. All of our voices do
matter.
HOW CAN WRITERS AND AUTHORS HELP?
Books
can in fact become seeds for miracles.
In the world of international parental child abduction – which is a
severe and abusive act that violates the human rights of a child and targeted
parent, several books have been published recently that began to educate
society about child kidnapping when the U.S. and global growth rate of
abduction was hovering at 20% per year.
The books included my deeply inspired novel about abduction called
‘Chasing The Cyclone’ as well as Steve Fenton’s ‘Broken Treaty’, and David
Goldman’s ‘A Father’s Love’. These books
raised awareness of abduction and played a critical role in causing society to
pay attention to this awful crime that violates a child’s human rights. The
result? In contradiction to the expected
20% growth rate of abduction continuing, we have experienced two consecutive
years of a 15% decline in international parental abductions in the U.S. I anticipate what is occurring in the U.S.
will have an impact in many nations abroad. It has to!
DO YOU BECOME FRUSTRATED BY THE LACK OF POLITICAL WILL REGARDING
HUMAN RIGHTS?
I
do think we have a long way to go.
However, I also think the world is beginning to embrace the concept of
global citizenship. And as we continue
to grasp this notion I believe each person’s voice will help elevate the human
condition.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST VICTORY?
On
a personal level, fighting cancer on multiple occasions, learning how to conquer
the dragon by seeing the magic that exists in life, and then in my own way,
trying to share that magic with others. As a child advocate I have taken great pride
in knowing that the U.S. outbound abduction rate has dramatically declined. Helping to bring home
abducted children is very high on my list.
But most of all, and this is not a victory, but the thing that means the
most to me is that no matter what, I celebrate my son and his life.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE SADDEST MOMENT IN YOUR WORK?
In
the world of child abduction prevention, the reality is that international
child abduction is very complicated. We fail to help more than we are able to
help because of the complicated issues involved. Hopefully as we continue to try to make a
difference, our failures will become less.
WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST FRUSTRATIONS?
In
the world of child abduction, the greatest frustration I experience is when a
targeted parent attempts to recover their internationally kidnapped child and
faces malicious tentacles of complexity that in reality can easily strangle
their ability to reunite with their victimized child. For example, generally, even though
international parental child abduction is a crime against a child, the targeted
parent has to pay for 100% of all recovery costs. And a parent simply cannot go into another
country and snatch the child, even if they have custody of the child, as they
could be violating that country’s laws.
And it is extremely frustrating when a court does not uphold the rules
and spirit of international law that calls for expedited hearings on these
cases. Hopefully this will end,
especially since the Department
of Justice recently confirmed that children who are abducted by their parent
are at grave risk of violence and even murder.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?
I
am thrilled to share that the I CARE Foundation has recently launched an ‘International
Travel Child Consent Form’ created to prevent a child from being illegally
detained abroad by one parent. This is
such a critical document, especially since our world is becoming one filled
with global citizens. Unfortunately, people who were born in different
countries meet, enter a relationship, have a child, and then inevitably, some
of these relationships fail. When this
happens, often the parent who was born in another country may want to return to
their country of origin. When they do, they may also desire to relocate the
child of the marriage. Knowing that the child’s other parent will oppose this,
and that it is very unlikely that a judge will consent to relocation; these
parents abduct the child abroad. And
when they do, often, they try to remove the other parent completely from the
child’s life because they want to get on with their own life and do not want to
be inconvenienced. So they plot how to
do that: often trying to have the other parent – and it does not matter if it
is a man or woman – arrested and restrained from contact.
I
would dare say that the I CARE
Foundation’s ‘International Travel Child Consent Form’ may be the most
important work we have created for the global impact it is expected to have is
far-reaching.
DO YOU WORK ON OTHER CASES, BESIDES HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES?
As
a cancer conqueror, I try to spend as much time as possible helping children
who are fighting the dragon. In addition, as a best-selling author and person
who believes that books and reading can take us anywhere in the world, I am a
strong supporter of literacy programs.
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT SOME GOOD THINGS ARE BEING ACHIEVED IN HUMAN
RIGHTS?
I
think we’re seeing a great impact made by non-government organizations to
increase the human condition in many areas as the internet has allowed people
to mobilize. The reach is extensive;
however, so too are the issues.
Nevertheless, when the average person who would not have the ability to
lend their voice and steward a message suddenly has the ability to do so,
change is inevitable.
WHO OR WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES?
Reality
is that money and finances are obstacles that are elevated in part by greed or
inefficient delivery systems created to provide aid to those who need it. We must become more efficient at streamlining
how we reach those in need and ensure that once delivery systems are in place
that those charged to ensure that goods and services intended to reach others
actually does.
ARE WESTERN GOVERNMENTS PROACTIVE OR REACTIVE?
Politics
move like the wind. We may want to suggest that there is an inclination to be
proactive and at times reactive. Truth is, it depends on the personal issue and
the immediate realities society faces.
ANY ADVICE FOR A LAWYER CONSIDERING HUMAN RIGHTS LAW?
There
is nothing more satisfying than helping those in need. Donate part of your time
to pro bono work because you have been given a gift to make the world a better
place.
IF YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS ALL WORLD LEADERS, WHAT
WOULD YOU SAY?
In
my capacity as an international parental child abduction advocate I would
steward the message that child abduction must end, and that each nation not
only has to create laws and policies to protect children, but that these
nations must also uphold the spirit and intent of international law under the
Hague Convention.
WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST DREAM?
To
one day travel to space. I am bewildered with how the Orion spacecraft will change
mankind’s destiny. With the upcoming
2014 of Orion, mankind will
truly begin space exploration.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY?
After
starting my day with a good workout, I like to spend a portion of my day
working to positively impact the human condition, whether it is in my volunteer
work with the I CARE Foundation, my work as a story teller, or my activity in
certain technology companies I am part of.
After that, there is this thing called … golf. I enjoy the game a great
deal. I hope one day I will learn how to
really play. And after a fun 9-holes, I
wouldn’t mind sitting on the boat, grilling a nice dinner as the sun settles
over the Pacific. And after dinner, I
would throw on my scuba gear and begin exploring the sea. It is a good
balance. Sometimes I’m fortunate to do
just that. And if I am working on a
novel – then I write . . . and I write . . . and I write!
WHAT ARE YOUR FIVE MOST FAVOURITE BOOKS?
‘Unbowed’
by Wangari Maathai, ‘My Justice’ by Patricia McKnight, ‘Don Quixote of La
Mancha’ by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, ‘Moby Dick’ by Herman Melville, and
J.R. Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE?
I
see myself continuing to share my voice to help children in crisis, while also
stewarding the technological enhancements of the technology companies I am
involved with. Storytelling is a very
big part of my life, particularly writing: I love to write geopolitical
thrillers. And I am working on completing sequels to ‘Cloning Christ’, which is
titled ‘Quest’, and ‘Den of the Assassin’s’ sequel, ‘Predators Games.’. And one
day . . . when mankind can travel into LEO – Low Earth Orbit – I plan to be on
one of those ships.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR VERY LAST SENTENCE?
Be
nice to one another.
Blogspot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7xAaHVO12rA
Video: Summer vacation and International Parental Child Abduction:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4x0orTERGgY
*** BREAKING NEWS ***
I CARE Foundation Creates Special Commission To Report On Groundbreaking Hague-Convention-Oriented International Parental Child Abduction Prevention Initiatives.
The Secretary General of the Hague Conference on International Private Law, Mr. Christophe Bernasconi, joins global child abduction prevention leaders in support of Peter Thomas Senese and the I CARE Foundation's worldwide initiative to implement the groundbreaking 'International Travel Child Consent Form'.
In response to the wide-spread support and implementation of the I CARE Foundation's 'International Travel Consent Form' from lawyers and courts around the world, the I CARE Foundation announced today the creation of an international Special Commission consisting of renowned child advocates residing in Hague-member states that will report to leadership of the Hague Conference on International Private Law on the implementation and utilization of the 'International Travel Child Consent Form'.
*** Click here to read more about the above ***
READ MORE
Clancy's comment: Wow! Well done. I'd encourage anyone to check out the above videos. Thanks, Peter. Admire your work and passion. Great videos. Keep going.
Love ya work!
I'm ...
No comments:
Post a Comment