Since September of 2004, ASK has organized Monthly Forums on adoption-related issues. Past Forums have included guests speaking on Korean foster care, sex education, teenage pregnancy, global trends in intercountry adoption, and media portrayals of adoptees. In addition to learning more about the many issues related to intercountry/transracial adoption, we are committed to fostering relationships with individuals and organizations that are at the forefront of instigating social change in Korean society.

Name   ASK Subject   February 17, 2008 Sunday 3-5pm at KoRoot - Single Mothers II File   ASK events - February 2008.doc (42 KB) - Download : 1885 ~ ASK February Events ~ Valentine's Day Action + ASK Monthly Forum Thursday and Sunday February 14 and February 17 ************************************************* VALENTINE'S DAY ACTION Please join us for an action on the streets of Hongdae as we distribute hundreds of free condoms to promote safe sex! Meet us at 8pm for a pre-distribution drink. We'll head out at 9pm to distribute the condoms until they are gone! This event is open to everyone who wants to participate. Date/Time: Thursday, February 14 at 8pm Location: Meet at Zen in Hongdae (across from Catchlight). Contact: If you are coming late or have trouble finding Zen, please call Su-Yoon: 019.430.7995. ************************************************* ASK MONTHLY FORUM Conversation with single mothers II In October 2007, ASK invited two single mothers from Aeranwon, a home for single mothers located in Seoul, to speak about their experiences. Afterward, the women who spoke at the forum told us they had enjoyed speaking, but wanted to hear more about the experiences of adoptees. This month we are inviting them back for what we hope will be an open dialogue between the women and the adoptees present. Participants will include 4-7 single mothers from Aeranwon and adoptees who are either interested in talking about their experiences of adoption or those who just want to listen. This forum will be in Korean and English with translation. Please note that this event is open to adoptees only. Date/Time: Sunday, February 17, from 3-5pm Location: KoRoot ?Seminar room on the lower level Directions: Gyeongbokgung Station, Line 3, Exit 2. KoRoot is a 15-minute walk from the station. You can also take Bus #1711 from the station, getting off at Kyunggi Sanggo High School. Please visit http://www.koroot.org/eindex.html for more information and a map or call 02.3210.2451. ************************************************* NEW ARTICLES ON THE ASK WEBSITE Our NEW and IMPROVED website has been up and running for the past few months. Check it out for new and ever-changing information and articles about ASK and intercountry adoption. **You can search for these and other articles by going to the ARCHIVE section of the ASK website, clicking ALL and doing a global search for the article title or keyword.** -- A secret scourge / Joongang Daily / 2007.12.05 -- Check out this article about abortion in Korea. Here is a quote from the article: According to research by the Ministry of Health and Welfare conducted in 2005, there are about 340,000 abortions a year on average in Korea. Considering the fact that about 470,000 babies are born every year, the number of abortions is simply astonishing. Among them, approximately 140,000 cases are pregnancies involving unmarried mothers, including minors https://adopteesolidarity.org/indexH.html -- Single moms challenge past ways / Joongang Daily / 2008.01.09 -- This one is about the abolition of the hojuje, the family registry system that was criticized for keeping women from having legal authority over their children, and its effect on traditional family structures in Korea: https://adopteesolidarity.org/indexH.html ************************************************* ASK MEMBERSHIP Who is a member of ASK? How do I become a member? What does it mean to be a member of ASK? We have heard from people in our community that ASK's membership structure is confusing and unclear. We agree! We have redefined ASK membership so that it is easier to become a member of ASK. Please visit the JOIN ASK section on the website for more information or email us at [email protected]. ************************************************* About ASK ASK's mission is to address the problems associated with Korean overseas adoption. Through education and activism, we aim to raise awareness, advocate change, and support alternatives to intercountry adoption. To join or be removed from the ASK mailing list, send an email to [email protected] ************************************************* DATE: 2008.02.11 - 18:23 LAST UPDATE: 2008.02.11 - 18:27   May 18 2-4pm: ASK-M.A.C.K. Forum -- Bring Your I.D.   A day with Professor David Smolin: Friday, July 23