May 15, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Global Overseas Adoptees’ Link, conference.goal@gmail.com


ADOPTEES MARK 10 YEAR MILESTONE OF RETURNING TO HOMELAND
Overseas adopted Koreans commemorate with conference in Seoul, Korea

SEOUL, Korea - Adult adopted Koreans, families and friends of the international community are invited to Seoul, Korea, August 1-3, 2008, to take part in “Our Space: Reflections on 10 Years of Community Building,” the 10th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Conference of Global Overseas Adoptees’ Link (G.O.A.’L).

The 10th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Conference will offer a special reception for G.O.A.’L member & volunteer alumni; a diverse program of conference sessions and workshops; exciting cultural performances & activities; and “Our Space: Six Perspectives,” a unique photo exhibition that will “take a fresh look at Korea, a place we have all known and imagined in our minds, realized through the points of view of six adoptees who have chose to make the journey back to where they were born.”

The 10th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Conference seeks to celebrate and recognize all who have contributed to the building of the present-day thriving global adoptee community in Korea during the past 10 years – adoptees, native Koreans, families and friends – both living in Korea and visiting from abroad.

Online registration for the 10th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Conference is NOW OPEN. Additionally, participants qualify for special discounted hotel accommodations at the Seoul Olympic Parktel, a 4-star hotel situated on the edge of Olympic Park, a sanctuary of peace and lush green surroundings and home to the 1988 Summer Olympic Games, in the Jamsil area of Seoul.

Program details and registration & reservation instructions can be found on the G.O.A.’L website ( http://www.goal.or.kr/eng/?slms=room&am … &ls=16 ).

Companies, organizations and individuals interested in supporting the 10th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Conference are invited to contact G.O.A.’L for further information.

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Global Overseas Adoptees’ Link (G.O.A.’L), is an adoptee-run registered non-governmental organization (NGO) and non-profit organization located in Seoul, Korea. Since 1998, G.O.A.’L has supported overseas adopted Koreans in accessing Korea by bridging barriers of language & culture and advocating for adoptee rights through lobbying the Korean government, organizing an annual conference addressing adoption-related issues, publishing a regular bi-lingual newsletter and coordinating public education, networking & social events.

G.O.A.’L provides adoptee-focused post-adoption services including: birth family search assistance, translation/interpretation, Korean language education support, advice on visiting/living in Korea and assistance with setting-up basic services in Korea (F4 visa, mobile phones, internet, etc.).