The call to develop North Hamilton was made by just about every panellist who spoke at a National Association on Reconciliation meeting on Tuesday night.

Four panellists were invited by historian and activist Dr. Eva Hodgson to speak at the meeting: developer and political activist Khalid Wasi, former Bermuda Sun editor Tom Vesey, Shadow Education Minister Neville Darrell, and former Government senator Calvin Smith.

Mr. Smith called for a change in the black psyche, saying black Bermudians have got to stop viewing themselves as victims.

Mr. Vesey gave a long list of policies and ways forward Government could consider, emphasising that social integration is ?vital? to economic equality.

He, along with the other panellists, called for the development of North Hamilton, the area otherwise known as ?the back of town?.

Mr. Wasi explained his reasoning. ?The reality of the economy is that it is not Government-driven. It is people-driven, opportunity-driven ... That?s where the activity is.

?(Therefore) we have to look at the areas people live in, and try to develop them to be self-sustaining.?

North Hamilton, one of the most densely populated areas on the Island, had different needs from Front Street and deserved focus on the development potential there, he said ? whether from Government or the Corporation of Hamilton. ?We need to develop something to co-ordinate the activities of North Hamilton.?

He suggested marking out a particular area, perhaps from Victoria Street back, and creating an economic development zone.

Then focus could be given on taxation and trade in the area. ?It becomes a government initiative, a Marshall Plan ... Look at it, target it, put the money in there and deal with it.?

However, Bermudians cannot sit back and wait for Government to solve all the problems, the panellists agreed.

?We assume Government has to do everything,? said Mr. Darrell. ?We?re part of the problem ourselves.?

One way forward was through an employment equity programme such as that done by the Ontario Government in the late 1980?s.

Society needs to conduct regular checks and balances on its fairness, Mr. Darrell said, and the Ontario Government started with themselves.

Agreeing to some extent with Mr. Smith, Mr. Darrell said certain beliefs and practices have become institutionalised: such as men making more than women. Such practices need to be changed.

There are opportunities, ?we just have to look for them,? he said. The 2004/05 Budget, for example, presents all sorts of opportunities for economic development. ?The Budget is really about us.?

Government can invest in programmes with the effect of creating economic opportunities. ?We need to have the courage and the wisdom to find more opportunities to be economically successful.?