The Samovar Society is the latest project of Access to Ideas.  As the name implies, the Society brings people together for the sake of talking with one another.  It was founded to give people the privilege of learning with each other and from each other (even while living on opposite sides of the globe) in a forum that is not only warm and genuinely supportive, but “live”.  The Society “meets” on an ongoing basis bringing new groups of people together once a week for five weeks via computer/telephone conference calling.  (We await the day when the calls will include live video.)  But for now, the participants, three to four U.S. participants and three to four Russian participants, rely on the warmth and sincerity of each other’s voices to feel a special closeness to one another.      The first Society sessions have brought young people together to discuss everything from family and traditions, to identity and trust, to sharing their hopes and dreams.  The project will eventually bring together teachers, journalists, environmentalists, artists, and even grandparents for the sake of nurturing an honest understanding and appreciation of one another (even if not agreement).  Quite simply, when we know and value the good in one another, it is impossible to be made enemies by an ignorance or denial of that good.     To learn more about the Samovar Society please write to:  SamovarSociety@rambler.ru