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
The AK Connection team at the Korean Quarterly 5K
---> UPCOMING EVENTS
Registration for the IKAA Gathering 2010 in Seoul is now open!!
After the successes of the adoptee Gatherings of 2004 and 2007, the International Korean Adoptee Associations (IKAA) network is pleased to announce another IKAA Gathering in Seoul from August 3-8, 2010. (AK Connection is a founding member of the IKAA network.)
Over 800 participants from around the world are expected to attend this event.
The preliminary program for the 2010 Gathering includes:
- Sessions and Workshops by Adoptees
- Research Symposium
- Art Gathering
- Business Seminar
- Adoptee World Cup
- Team Building Activities
- Concerts
- Social and Cultural Activities
In addition to cultivating community among adoptees, the IKAA Gathering 2010 also hopes to promote dialogue and a greater understanding between the global Korean adoptee community and Korean society.
As an additional incentive to attend the Gathering, for every 25 paid AK Connection members that register for and attend the IKAA Gathering, AK Connection will reimburse the Gathering registration fees of one lucky winner ($175 value). To be eligible to win, you must be an AK Connection paid member for the year 2010, and you must register for and attend the 2010 IKAA Gathering. Winners will be drawn and announced during the AK Connection 10-Year Anniversary Celebration to be held during the IKAA Gathering in Korea. AK Connection will reimburse the Gathering registration fees of up to 4 individuals. If you are not already a paid member of AK Connection, you can download the membership form from our website.
To register, visit: http://gathering.ikaa.info/en/page/447
For more info about the 2010 Gathering, see http://www.ikaa.org
Follow us also on http://www.twitter.com/IKAAG10
---> AK Connection Meets with South Korean Women Participating in the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program
On Friday, August 21st, 2009, AK Connection met with a delegation of six women from South Korea. The women were touring the United States as part of the Women and Political Leadership Building program organized by the U.S. Department of State. During the meeting, AK Connection board members gave an overview of the history of Korean adoption in the United States, Minnesota's unique history of Korean adoption, and the history of AK Connection in Minnesota. The board described the work of AK Connection in providing resources and support for adult adopted Koreans in Minnesota. The meeting concluded with a question and answer session. The meeting provided an invaluable opportunity for AK Connection to continue the work of reaching out and building connections between overseas adult adoptees and South Korean leaders.
See a feature including information about this meeting in Woman Life monthly magazine out of Daegu, South Korea. (Sorry, there's no English translation.)
---> AK CONNECTION MEETS WITH KOREAN POLITICIANS
On September 4, 2008, 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. 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.
