Hello! 안녕하세요! AK Connection serves the Minnesota adult adopted Korean community. Enrich yourself by attending various events and learning about opportunities that will connect you to other adult Korean adoptees, their families, networks, and friends.
We have a new email and welcome your comments at
akconnection.mn@gmail.com
Minnesota adoptees at the IKAA New York City Mini-Gathering
---> UPCOMING EVENTS
AK Connection Annual BBQ/Picnic
Mark your calendars for the AK Connection Annual BBQ/Picnic.
Saturday, August 1
5:00pm - dusk
Brookview Park
Golden Valley, MN
IKAA Mini-Gathering in Amsterdam
Join the IKAA Gathering in Amsterdam from August 6-9, 2009!
For the first time since the Oslo Gathering in 2001, Korean adoptees in Europe and from around the world now have a unique opportunity to meet again in Europe, in the exiting city of Amsterdam. The conference takes place at the historical Hotel Arena in the city centre.
The Dutch and Danish associations for Korean Adoptees, Arierang and Korea Klubben, have joined forces and are working together to organize and co-host a fantastic event this August. Both associations are founding members of the IKAA Network.
Check out the preliminary itinerary and register today!
Travel to Korea this Summer
Many different organizations are offering trips to Korea this summer. Check out our Korean Tours and Language Opportunities page. Along with the standard list of tours, we have added updated information on special programs for 2009.
IKAA GATHERING 2010 in SEOUL
Save the dates: August 3-8, 2010.
Download the PDF flyer. More information will be posted soon.
---> AK CONNECTION MEETS WITH KOREAN POLITICIANS
On September 4, AK Connection had the unprecedented opportunity to meet with a delegation of Korean legislators who were in Minnesota for the Republican National Convention. Ten legislators from the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea attended the meeting along with other influential members of the Korean community living in the U.S.
The purpose of this meeting was to help the Korean delegation gain a better understanding of Korean adoption in the U.S. and the implications it has on Korean American and Korean society. The meeting included a presentation on international adoption as well as a question and answer session.
The presentation was divided into three sections. University of Minnesota Professor Rich Lee briefly explained the history and background of Korean adoption in Minnesota. AK Connection President Lisa Medici gave an overview of AK Connection, including information about our events and services. AK Connection Vice President Lisa Ellingson gave an overview of some of the U.S. and international adoptee organizations, as well as some current issues for adoptees. Finally, activist Julayne Lee presented some recommendations for changes to international adoption policy. The concluding question and answer session was facilitated by Social Work Ph.D. candidate Jae Ran Kim.
AK Connection believes that this meeting was an important step toward improving access and services for adoptees and opening the communication lines between the Korean government and adoptees. We hope that the delegation will work to generate postive change as a result of this meeting.
Find an article about the meeting by Korean Quarterly here:
---> ADOPTED KOREANS IN THE NEWS
- Comedian Amy Anderson blog on her trip to Korea with OKF's "First Trip Home"
- The New York Times has been running a series of writings on adoption. Read an opinion piece by an adopted Korean.
- AK Connection article published in the Pacific Citizen.
- The Mankato Free Press reports on its Korean community.
- Korean adoptee Katie Leo's Feminist Lens on Adoption in Minnesota Women's Press.
- Korean adoptee and professor Kim Park Nelson's new paper entitled Mapping Multiple Histories of Korean American Transnational Adoption.
- The Star Tribune's interview with musician Mayda Miller.
---> STAY IN TOUCH
- Email akconnection.mn@gmail.com for more information on any of our events, resources, or activities.
- Join our group on Facebook!
- Sign up for our E-Newsletter to keep up with what's new in the community.
