"Balance in the face of change'' is critical for Bermuda's continued success as the year 2000 approaches, Opposition leader Jennifer Smith said yesterday.

And she added that service clubs have an important role in this process as a partner and helpmate of both Government and the private sector.

Ms Smith was speaking at the weekly luncheon of the Hamilton Lions Club at Pier Six.

Asked to address the topic: "Forward To The Year 2000, Our Future On The Horizon,'' Ms Smith said change will be a constant and should not be feared.

However, the scale of change, she predicted, would be greater for young Bermudians who must prepare for them through education. "In the 21st century knowledge based industries will rule supreme, hence Bermuda must have a long term educational plan that will produce citizens who have well rounded academic and practical skills.

"(And the) initiative and the confidence to adapt those skills to a world that will change more in their lifetime than it has in our collective lifetimes.

"Service clubs and other civic organisations must unite to ensure that a quality education system is in place to meet the needs of these young people.'' Mrs. Smith also said that another feature of the journey into the 21st century and beyond was the need for community leaders to harmonise the often opposing principles that face them daily.

The key, she said, will be for all competing groups to look for the common ground within the diversity. "Here in Bermuda we will have to learn to balance our desire to import and consume industrially produced goods, with our need to sustain the fragile environment on which our island life depends,'' she continued.

"We will need to balance our desire to give entrepreneurs the economic freedom they need to generate wealth and employment, with our need to sustain the social fabric which is indispensable for long term economic stability and growth.'' But the Opposition leader also hinted that there will be a changing of the guard before the year 2000 and she expected that to be "peaceful, profitable and prosperous for all Bermudians.'' However, notwithstanding the outcome of the next general election, Ms Smith said that it will be the job of the service clubs and other nongovernmental bodies to assist the Island to strike the correct balance between the pursuit of profits and prosperity and the need to preserve the Island's social fabric.

"The key words of the (new) century will be change, knowledge, education, training, re-education and growth in knowledge-based industries.

"Bermuda's future in the year 2000 will be assured if we achieve balance in the face of change.

"Service clubs like the Lions of Bermuda will have a vital role to play in helping to ensure that the delicate balance upon which our long term survival depends is achieved.'' Jennifer Smith