Michael Dunkley yesterday welcomed the international cast of Up With People to the island in advance of their performances next week.

Greeting the group of visiting performers — including Bermuda’s own Zachary Lathan — the Premier stressed the importance of bringing together people from different cultures and communities.

“We live in an increasingly small world because of technology, because of travel, because of all those sorts of things,” he said. “It’s awesome that now the world is really starting to break down barriers in a meaningful way, and one of the things we are always working on in Bermuda is celebrating our diversity, and Up With People have done that for many years.

“I have to warn you that you are in paradise. You will leave, but you will always be invited back to paradise.”

Isaiah McGregory, field tour manager for the non-religious and non-political group, thanked the Premier for his welcome.

“There are a lot of beautiful places in the world, but not only is Bermuda beautiful, its full of beautiful people,” he said. “We appreciate all of the support that we have received from everyone in Bermuda.”

Also today, Up with People volunteers helped out in the gardens of special-needs charity WindReach, as well as working with the goats in its petting zoo.

Up With People, who are bringing their full cast of 100 young people to the island for the first time, will be performing four music and dance shows at the Ruth Seaton James Centre on April 28, 29 and 30.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.upwithpeople.org/bermuda.