Dear Friends of KASCON 21,

Before embarking on this road called KASCON one year ago, I took a film course at my school where a legendary filmmaker Jean Pierre Gorin told students, "I make films for "you."  Here, I don't just mean "you" as in YOU. It's a subjective term but also an objective term. I make films for those of "you" whom I have never seen, never known, never will come across.  Although I know nothing about "you", I know precisely who "you" are and what kind of films will make "your" life changed. I make films for "you".

With this lesson in mind, the entire KASCON 21 Executive board and I have long prepared the conference.  We have sacrificially and tirelessly worked days and nights just to make this conference a BEST experience for you. We have never seen you before and we know nothing of you, but it's for YOU that we have dedicated our time, social life, academics and personal lives so that the little efforts we put into this project will have some kind of impact on your life.

We have been getting messages from all participants thanking us for opening their eyes, making this conference a great experience for them, and providing a place in which you guys could all connect and network.

I can't express enough how awesome you guys were. Despite busy and packed schedule, you guys took ownership over this conference and made it successful. Again, we only prepared the conference but it's YOU guys that made everything possible and smooth. Give a lot of credit to yourselves. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I sincerely believe that the new wave we created at UCSD will go on and produce positive changes and effects in the facet of the Korean American community.

Let us not forget the "holy moments" we experienced in San Diego. Let us continue to dialogue and work together to really create positive changes within and outside of our community. Let us not forget the passion and inspiration we attained from the conference.  Really, as KW Lee so aptly articulated, we are the first and last defensive line for our parents, and all we have as the young Korean American generation is each other.  Please don't let this friendship and partnership fade away.  We will have to wait another year for next KASCON, but I am convinced that if we keep networking and collaborating for social justice and worthy causes, this will mark a historical beginning for the new wave of the young Korean American generation.  As cheesy as it may sound, all it takes to change the world is one positive and passionate heart.  This is when the New Wave begins.

KASCON is only a beginning and I am grateful that we - the entire KASCON 21 executive board- were given an opportunity to have met so many passionate Koreans throughout the continent.  Create a new wave of movement on your own campus!

One last message from our forefather, Dosan Ahn Changho.

"Why are the people who lament for the lack of great men not making an effort to become great men themselves?  Become a great citizen of America but don't you ever forget your roots and culture!"

You guys are already great leaders yourselves. Just believe in yourself and in worthy causes.

That's it. See you all soon.

Joseph Juhn and KASCON 21 Executive Board

04.03.07