adoption or any alternative regime be deprived of his or her name, nationality or legal.representative unless the child thereby acquires a new name, national4ty or legal representative. Article 9 [17] The need of a foster or an adopted child to know about his or her background should be recognized by persons responsible for the child's care, unJess tbis is contrary to the child's best interests. B. FOSTER PLACEMENT Article 10 [9] Foster placement of. children should be- regulated by law. Article 11 (101 Foster family care, though temporary in nature, may continue, if necessary, until adulthood but should not preclude either prior return to the child's own parents or adoption. Article 12 [11] In all matters of foster family care the prospective foster parents and, as appropriate, the child and his or her awn parents should be properly Involved. A competent authority or agency should be responsible for supervision to ensure the welfare of the child. C. ADOPTION Article 13 [12] Tbe primary aim of adoption is to provide the child who cannot be cared for by bis or her own parents with a permanent family. Article 14 In considering possible adoption placements, persons responsible for them should select the most appropriate environment for the child. A/40/244 English Page8Article 15 1·..Sufficient timeandadequate counsellinq shouldbegiventethechild's own parents, theprospective adoptive parents and,asappropriate, thechildin ordertoreachadecision onthechild's futureasearlyaspossible. Article 16 There1ationship hetween thechildtobeadoptee! andtheprospective adoptive parents shouldbeobservee! brchildwelfare aq8ncies orservices priortothe adoption. Leqislation sbouldensure·thatthechildisreeoqnizee! inlaw·asa m.mberofth.adoptive familyandenjoysaLltberiqbtspertinent tbereto. Article 17(191 Ifachild'cannot beplacedinafosteroranadoptive familyorcannotinany su~table mannerbecaredforinthecountry oforiqin, intercountry adoption maybeconsidered asanalternative meansofprovidinq.the childwithafamily. Article 18[201 GOvernments sbouldestablisb po1icy, leqis1ation andeffective supervision for theprotection ofchildren involved inintercountry adoption. Intercountry adoption should, wherever possible, onlybeundertaken wbensuchmeasures have beanestablished inth.Statesconcernee!. Article 19 [211 IninterC!OWltry adoption, placements. should, asarule,b.madethrouqb competent authorities. oraqencies withapplication ofsafeguards and.standards equivalent: tothese'existinq inrespect ofnational adoption. Innocase­ sbouldtheplacement resultinimproper financial gainforthose·invo1ved in
**Analysis**
This text appears to be a set of guidelines or standards for the welfare and protection of children, particularly in regards to foster care and adoption. The language used is formal and legalistic, suggesting that it may be a treaty or international agreement. The topics discussed, such as the rights of children, the need for transparency and involvement in decision-making, and the importance of supervision and safeguards, are all relevant to the field of social welfare and child protection.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Education