Students from all over the state are gathering next month at the UA for the 2004 Leadership Conference for Asian-Pacifics, the second conference that seeks to bring awareness to issues important to Asian-Americans.

John Vo, a chemistry senior and organizer of the event, said the conference will provide Asian-American and non-Asian students the opportunity to learn more about Asian-American experiences.

"Students can finally have some formal time to develop their thoughts on things that matter to them," Vo said.

The conference is put together by the Asian-American Student Coalition, the International Student Business organization, and the Pan-Asian Community Alliance, Vo said.

The registration deadline for the conference, which costs $15, is Friday.

The fee covers conference materials, conference t-shirts, and food for two days, including a dinner at Dragon View restaurant, where the conference's keynote speaker, Pima County Superior Court Judge Paul Tang, will speak, said Alex Dong, a molecular and cellular biology junior who's organizing the event as coordinator of the Asian-American Student Coalition.

Lorraine Lee, vice president of Chicanos Por La Causa and a UA alumna of Mexican and Chinese heritage, will deliver another keynote speech.

Vo said though he's happy the UA has an East Asian Studies department, he would like to see courses related to Asian-American studies or film and speaker series addressing Asian-American issues.

Vo said he hopes the conference will help Asian-American students connect with the Asian-American organizations in the community.

One of the panel discussions will focus on identity issues among Asians adopted into Caucasian families, Vo said.

Caucasian parents who have raised Asian-Americans will speak about their experiences and Vo said organizers are looking for adopted students to speak about theirs.

In another workshop, two to three panelists will talk about interracial dating.

Dong said other issues that need discussion include how young Asian-Americans often feel pigeonholed into making certain career decisions.

"Many Asians are pressured into being doctors and lawyers," Dong said. "But there are other options for them."

Dong said he's hoping that 125 people attend the conference.

"There's been a lot of hard work put into it and we haven't had one for two years now," Dong said. "It's going to be bigger and better than the first."

Students interested in participating in the conference on Nov. 6 and Nov. 7 should register by Friday's deadline.