Sabaydii my fellow Satjadham and Laonetters,

	On Saturday June 22nd, Satjadham conference was open to the 
public. Our main attraction was the various speakers such as Chaosinh on 
Hit Sibsong Gong Sibsi Hit Yi Gong Muong, Ai Prany on Laos in 
International Arena, Ai Sak on Integrated urban development in the city 
of Vientiane, Into on Legal Issues concerning the Lao community, On 
(Genevieve) on Political Empowerment, Joe Boulom on Gangs and other 
social issues, Kag on Laonet magazine publication, Vic on Lao Scholarhip 
Fund and Pam on Generation Gap. 
	There were about 40 people attending the conference. Of those, about 
two thirds were from the younger generation and came from the areas besides 
Fresno. But still, a majority of the attendees came from California 
especially Southern and Central California. Of gender, both were equally 
represented.
	The talks and the discussions that followed afterwards were very 
lively. (The details would follow afterwards after I received all the 
inputs from those who took notes or just wanted to share what they 
learned). Chaosinh added humor and wit to the serious issues causing 
laughter and big applause. Ai Prany added experience and wisdom to the 
taken-for-granted as well as new arisen issues impressing everyone. Ai 
Sak made us see what status Muang Lao was right now, and our new star, On, 
spoke with confidence shining a new force of Lao female. 
	In the evening, we had a poetry reading and film showing about 
Wat Lao at Rockford. I would say that it was really a best way to end the 
conference for the poems really captured what we were, and where we were 
going. Vic's reading of a Lao poem was beautiful considered that he 
came to the US at a very young age. Still, his Laoness made him learn 
Lao despite all odds. What a model for the yound Lao overseas to emulate. 
Also, the guests' reading of their poems were 
something to treasure dearly in our hearts too. Of all,what impressed me
the most was the witnessing of our young both male and female took a 
stand expressing themselves candidly and courageously. The ease that they 
spoke, the depth of their intellect, and the concern of their follow Lao 
made me realize that a new Lao was budding. If we know how to guide them, 
and if we really care about their destiny, Muang Lao and Quon Lao will truly 
have a future.
	One more thing that is unique about this conference is the bond 
and the will to stick together. This facet is proved through the long 
winding conference which begins at about 9am to 10pm. That was more than 
half a day. Of those who attended, three fourths stayed until the end. 
Troy captured this significance well when he said that it was hard for the 
young to stay in one place this long. Satjadham really brought out the best 
in people. In addition, all of those who sticked together until the 
conference was over, went to partying at Sonny's house until 2 or 3 am. 
What a bond indeed!
	

Hak phaang,
Kongkeo Saycocie
http://www.sonic.net/~kongkeo/sjdnews.html
http://www.sonic.net/~kongkeo/sjdarch.html