Tea anyone?

Every couple of weeks, the Sauve Scholars engage with leaders in a rather informal setting we call Tea Talks. All 14 of us gather in the Salon with tea, cookies and a leader who tells us about their work, their reasons for engaging in such work, and their personal experiences and challenges in achieving their life's goals. Some of the people we have had visit Sauve House are Kristen Johnson, an expert in humanitarian aid; Len Blum, a screenwriter turned yogi; and David Creigton, the president, CEO and founder of Cordiant Capital - a fund manager of emerging markets.

Aside from the foundation organizing these talks, scholars themselves have also organized their own powerful and irresistible Tea Talks, beginning with Marie Wilson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; Eloge Butera, a former scholar and survivor of the Rwandan Genocide; and Rex Brynen, a professor and researcher of peace-building and conflict, particularly in the Middle East. Yesterday, Michelle had organized a talk with Christian Novak to speak to us about Micro-Finance Institutions, since so many of us have expressed an interest in this topic.

The passion and experience have brought with them kindled many of the new thoughts and ideas that I have been drumming up this year. Part of the Sauve experience is about a intense exchange of ideas and experience. It was nice to have an opportunity to invite special guests to the nice and relaxing Salon of the Sauve House.