Claire N. Barnes, California, USA
In June 2010, a training event was held in London with representatives from Relate, National Family Mediation (UK) and Kid’s Turn (San Francisco) to exchange ideas and train the UK organizations on the innovative Kids’ Turn Curriculum designed to reduce conflict in separating or divorcing families. The Curriculum had been acquired by the two UK charities for programming funded by England’s Department for Education. This unique partnership resulted from years of relationship building between the two countries and the three groups – all made possible by ICCFR.
As Executive Director, Kid’s Turn, I attended my first ICCFR Conference in Sydney, Australia in 2002. Encouraged by my mentor Suzie Thorn, I presented a workshop with an Irish colleague (Claire Missen), comparing and contrasting services offered to separating or divorcing families in our respective countries. From that moment I was hooked.
I continued traveling to and participating in ICCFR Conferences over the years in the roles of conference attendee, workshop presenter, discussion group leader, Conference summary panelist, and eventually filling various leadership positions.
Americans do not have the opportunity to cross international borders as readily as Europeans. ICCFR remedied that limitation by providing settings to learn, share, debate, question and even challenge colleagues in related fields. My ICCFR participation expanded the context of my work and helped me realize, with humility, how much I could learn from others. Partnering internationally with UK charities was a value added outcome.
My husband generally traveled with me to ICCFR Conferences, where we made personal friends – many of those friendships continue, twenty-three years later. Although I am now retired, I remain active in ICCFR as a Trustee. This volunteer position helps me remain committed to the ICCFR mission while watching the organization robustly sustain its work.
