Shared histories: interpreting our adoption records

The Australia - United States Korean Rights Group (AUSKRG) is facilitating an adoption file documentation workshop for Korean adoptees whose adoptions were processed through Eastern Social Welfare Society (ESWS), formerly Eastern Child Welfare Society (ECWS). 

This will be a supportive space for Korean adoptees from ESWS to come together to reflect on adoption file documentation in the context of the South Korean Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) investigation into intercountry adoption. 

What will be covered:

• a brief overview of the AUSKRG and TRC
• discussion of the illegal and illicit adoption practices that the TRC is investigating
• facilitated sessions including breakout groups to critically reflect on and review commonalities and inconsistencies in our ESWS adoption files

Please note: the purpose of this workshop is to support Korean adoptees who were adopted through ESWS (ECWS) as the TRC's investigation progresses. The AUSKRG is a volunteer-based group of Korean adoptees that is collecting and sharing information with the Korean adoptee community in the context of ESWS and the TRC investigation. The workshop is not focused on birth family search, although we will provide resources for individuals to refer to if they wish to conduct a search.

This workshop is only for Korean adoptees who were adopted through ESWS/ECWS.

TIMES

• Saturday 12 October (USA) 6pm PST, 9pm EST
• Sunday 13 October (Australia) 12pm AEDT

WHAT TO BRING

If you have them, please bring along your adoption documentation. We will be focusing on the following three documents:

1. Initial Social History
2. Family Register (Hojeok)
3. Guardianship certificate/application

These documents will be referred to during the breakout groups, but there is no requirement to share unless you feel comfortable.

ABOUT AUSKRG

The Australia – United States Korean Rights Group (AUSKRG), is a community group focused on strengthening Korean adoptee communities by sharing resources and advocating for equal human rights.