Adoptee workshops:
Workshop topics will include cultural and racial identity, search and reunion, historical overview of Korean adoption (global and Korean perspectives), and sharing of individual adoption experiences. Workshops will be full plenaries and four break-out sessions divided by age of participants. The conference is intended to be inclusive in providing opportunities for full participation which will draw on the collective population rather than highlight individuals. It is the common experience which provides the foundation for this event.

Workshops on cultural and racial identity of adoptees:
Presentations will define and address the complex issues of race and identity for Korean adoptees, including the changing environment of these issues as intercountry adoption practices have evolved. Will include global perspective of US and European adoptees.

Workshops for spouses of adoptees:
Acknowledging the unique perspective of Korean adoptees also includes the perspective of the spouses and partners who share their lives. Workshops will be developed specifically to identify shared issues, concerns and commonalties of spouses to ensure they be included in a meaningful and thoughtful process.

Workshops on international adoption search and reunion:
Provide Korean perspective and context as guidance for adoptees interested in learning about issues and process of search and reunion. This will supplement other opportunities during the Gathering for adoptees to share experiences, resources and concerns.

Adult adoptee survey:
Little research exists regarding international adoption and the impact on the lives of the adopted children, now adults. The collective experience of individual Korean adult adoptees represents multiple adopted nationalities, adoptive family profiles, religion and education. This broad range of life experience provides significant lessons to be learned. The target population of the Gathering is a rich resource for collecting information and data which will enhance intercountry adoption practice and directly benefit the lives of children who will be adopted in the future. Participating in this process will give a voice to adoptees. In being heard it validates and affirms their experience.

The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute will develop a pre-conference survey for participants regarding a wide range of issues relevant to the first generation of Korean adoptees. The surveys will assist in designing meaningful workshops for conference participants. Results of the survey will be compiled and published for distribution.

Korean cultural events:
A priority of this international Gathering will be the connection of shared history between the Korean community and adoptees. A variety of Korean cultural activities, entertainment and education will be provided throughout the conference. The local Korean community will host social events to create personal linkages between individuals from local, regional, national and international Korean communities and adoptees. It is hoped that the conference will conclude with an event at the Kennedy Center highlighting a Korean cultural performance.

What is in a name?
For adoptees interested in the traditional meaning of their Korean name, there will be Korean translations available during the Gathering.

Reception at the home of the Ambassador of South Korea:
An invitation for conference participants to be received in a formal visit to the home of the Ambassador of South Korea. An elegant and formal reception which will present to the Ambassador the first generation of adoptees from Korea who have become successful world citizens.

Capitol Hill Reception:
Meeting and reception hosted by Congressional Coalition on Adoption. The Coalition supports adoption initiatives and legislation and is an advocate for the adoption community. At this time, the most critical issue for intercountry adoption is to ratify The Hague Convention in Respect To Intercountry Adoption. This international treaty is expected to come before Congress in 1999. The Congressional Coalition will be instrumental in assisting to ratify the Hague Convention. This meeting will provide an opportunity for Gathering participants to meet and thank their Congressional representatives and request their continued support. A Korean Adoptee Proclamation in support of ratification of the Hague Convention will be presented to the Congressional Coalition. Similar Proclamations will be prepared for appropriate officials of all countries represented by Korean adoptees at the Gathering.

Adoptees Share:
Following the regular daily schedule there will be two additional venues for adoptees to come together. “Open Stage” is an opportunity for adoptees to share music, poetry, dance, film and other creative expressions. This activity will be informal, unstructured and open to all conference participants. “Open Forum” will be a place for adoptees to share each other’s personal stories and life experiences through conversation and dialogue. An informal, unstructured place “where everyone is just like me.” “Open Stage” and “Open Forum” will be concurrent activities.

Group visit to Korean War Memorial:
It is not possible to measure the impact of the Korean War on our individual lives. But it was the children orphaned by that war who pioneered intercountry adoption. Perhaps someday we will go together to Korea and acknowledge the sacrifice and devastation of that war to our birth country. For now, we can go together at sunrise to the Korean War Memorial and thoughtfully remember this part of our shared history.

Tribute to birth & adoptive parents:
Create participatory ritual as a tribute from adoptees to birth and adoptive parents and Korean identity as part of closing ceremony.

Anthology of the First Generation of Korean Adoption:
Publish a comprehensive collection of written work including essays, short stories, poems, and vignettes which include a broad and diverse representation of the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of the first generation of Korean adoptees. The Anthology will be published in time for the Gathering and also available for sale and distribution following the conference. (Refer to Anthology guidelines for more information.)

Conference Program / Directory:
The centerpiece of the conference program will be a directory of adoptees including photos and brief biographies.

Displays & Exhibits:
Displays and exhibits of Korean organizations, culture, art, books, magazines, and other resources. Displays and exhibits about adoption including: books, tapes, adoptee organizations, web sites and other resources. By invitation to groups and individuals who will pay for booth & advertising space. Space is limited and available on a first come basis. To secure exhibit space, request information at Holt, Attn: Gathering, PO Box 2880, Eugene OR 97402, USA or online at www.holtintl.org and E-mail gathering@holtintl.org

Documentaries / Media:
To further extend the experiences and information accumulated during the Gathering, selected media from Korea, Europe and the U.S. will be invited to film and record the event. PBS is planing to film a documentary highlighting the Gathering and the influence of Korean adoption from a historical and global perspective.

By invitation only...
This Gathering is intended to provide a forum for those who share the unique experience of being among the first generation of children adopted from Korea. Many of us acknowledge the profound influence of our adoption which extends beyond childhood into our adult lives. It is a natural conclusion that adoptees may desire to share this unique experience of exploration and discovery with their spouse or partner. They are warmly welcome.

The Gathering itinerary and schedule of events is deliberately intended to maximize every moment and possibility over the course of two and a half days. The daily schedule allows for minimal free time and the activities themselves are predictably intense and emotionally enriching. There should be every expectation of deeply felt emotions and profound realizations, both given and received throughout the Gathering.

This is not a schedule or event that is conducive to the needs of children, but rather an adult conference. Through the Gathering, friendships will be formed which will promote future activities that includes our children (and grandchildren).

The single exception to adoptee and spouse participation at the Gathering will be invitations to the small group of adoption agencies in Korea, Europe and the United States, who facilitate Korean adoption. Although there are currently hundreds of intercountry adoption agencies worldwide, Korea continues to work exclusively with a few carefully selected agencies. These agencies literally represent the international network which has united thousands of Korean children with their families around the world.

The simple truth is we would not have our families without them. Particularly during the early years of adoption, many dedicated individuals persevered despite overwhelming obstacles to find our adoptive families. We may remember some of these individuals. Their names are probably buried somewhere in our adoption paperwork. They may remember things we have forgotten, or never knew. They have their own stories to share. This will be a time to see them again. To let them see us. See how we grew up, what we have become. To thank them.