I offer my congratulations to the Korean Dance Therapy Association upon celebrating its 20th anniversary. Sponsoring such an interesting and exciting international conference is a remarkable accomplishment that speaks to the growth of the professional association in so short a time.

The driving force is the love of learning and sharing of knowledge that seems intrinsic to Korean dance therapists. I have experienced and witnessed this commitment during the times I have visited to teach and consult. The high degree of professionalism made those visits a total pleasure and contributed to my own learning.

It has been my good fortune to be able to watch such growth in my own country of the United States. To then observe how others have found their own means of making this happen in their own countries has been so very gratifying. We are indeed an international community at this time a community of dancers who understand the meaning and power of how to help others through our knowledge and skills. We understand this as we have each found such meaning within our own lives.

I wish each of you a very special time together, meeting new friends, gathering new information as well as sharing your own perspectives . It is a wonderful opportunity to dance and learn with other participants from other lands. Knowing those involved in the KDTA, the conference is sure to be an enjoyable and special time. Reading the program only supports my belief that there is much that is important to be shared with each other.

I send my best wishes for a most successful conference. I wish I could join you.

United States of America