Most people cannot get on a plane and travel outside their country to satisfy a curiosity about other people and cultures. And although our world is shrinking and indeed becoming once again 'flat' because of technology and non-stop media, we seem more fragile than ever before, further away from peace than any other time.

We are optimistic however that we also have the greatest opportunity now to gain greater understanding and knowledge about each other through technology. Most of the people behind Global Visits have been fortunate to spend years outside their home countries, working in other cultures and sharing many friendships. We know that once we get over our uncertainties and fears, as neighbors in our global community we have so much in common, including a desire for peace and friendship.

Would you like to talk with someone in a country greatly different from your own?

You can form a private group. Global Visits did this for years with Project Perception. You might be two student groups half a world apart and want to engage in a private discussion forum or project together, and you can. Your privacy will be respected. In the past, we have had projects linking American students up with students from Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Syria and Kenya.

Global Visits is not restricted to students: perhaps a group of teachers wants to start a group. Or, maybe you belong to a service organization like Rotary, or an association and want to talk with people who share your goals but live on a different continent.

You might want to start a public discussion, a blog, invite people to your member page and listen to your favorite music.

You can list an event and invite us to attend.

We only ask that you support the mission of Global Visits. We are not the usual social networking site. Our mission is to promote greater understanding between cultures through educational and cultural exchange,

Send an email to globalvisits@aol.com.