Member states of the African Diaspora Heritage Trail must celebrate the achievements of those of African descent as "a story of unrelenting and outstanding success in the face of impossible odds".

Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, keynote speaker at the Fourth International African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference, told delegates yesterday the Beijing Olympic Games would showcase what is possible when people participate on an "objective" level playing field.

Mr. Vanderpool-Wallace, who is Minister of Tourism and Aviation for The Bahamas, said: "When you look at the achievements of the sons and daughters of that (African) diaspora, as we recognise that diaspora we have much to celebrate.

"It is an enormous story and I don't think we have done enough to understand that.

"In just three weeks we are going to see the sons and daughters of this diaspora on display in Beijing. When you look at the collection of talent of these people, you will see something astonishing.

"There is a human interest story as to how they got where they are today and their ancestry.

"Each one has a trail from Africa to their present residence. Each one has a story which I believe is one of the most fascinating in the world.

"We in tourism believe it is the international African Diaspora Heritage Trail which compels us to follow this trail, because that is what it is all about."

He said: "It is a story of unrelenting and outstanding success in the face of impossible odds.

"I am confident that if you begin to understand the power of that idea, of celebrating the success of today and showing what had to be done to overcome these odds, then our children, when they look at what they have to face today, will face it with a great deal of confidence."

Representatives of up to 18 countries gathered at the Fairmont Southampton yesterday for the opening plenary of this year's conference, entitled 'Catching the Fire! Identifying, Igniting and Connecting the Trails'.

Bermuda has led the way in forging an African Diaspora Heritage Trail, which for the first time this year includes a South American nation with the inclusion of Venezuela.

The Heritage Trail aims to develop destinations around the world to tell the story of Africans and slavery. And in Bermuda, the ADHT has been officially designated as a UNESCO Slave Route Project.

For the next three days, scholars, activists and government officials will gather to discuss the development of international trails, with topics such as historical preservation, folklore, race relations and the role of governments. Mr. Vanderpool-Wallace told delegates yesterday: "People begin to drop pieces of history because it is an inconvenient truth which some don't want to pay attention to.

"It is important for our children to know these stories and to understand that some of the history taught to us leaves out some of these inconvenient truths.

"We believe there is a way of connecting the trails so we can understand this history a great deal more."

He said: "Some of these truths are inconvenient and uncomfortable to deal with, but it is equally important for people to know what has gone on. The intent is not to cause discomfort against the few but to relieve the discomfort of the many."

At yesterday's opening plenary Sir Richard Gozney also recounted his experiences of visiting slave heritage sites in Africa. Sir Richard was the British High Commissioner of Nigeria prior to becoming Governor of Bermuda this year.

Speaking on the Portuguese forts in Ghana which were transformed into slave holding centres in the 17th and 18th centuries, Sir Richard said: "They have been well-preserved and renovated, and it is horribly easy to picture what it was like for those Africans about to be sent on the Middle Passage.

"No one I know who has visited those forts has remained unaffected and unmoved.

"If places are brought vividly to life in terms of that human history, then I think it stimulates and entrances, as well as horrifies."

He added: "What I have seen so far in Bermuda fits the bill rather well."

Sir Richard said he has been most moved by a trundle bed at Verdmont House for the girl slave of the owner's aunt.

"Alongside her mistress's four-poster bed, this speaks more than any amount of speeches and articles about how that slave and mistress shared that bedroom," he said.

"The stories of slavery need to be told. When a place where something actually happened, such as a house or a beach, is brought to life with artifacts of that time, then I think all tourists — black, white, Asian or other — will be moved, stimulated and horrified, and we will go away with a vivid impression of what has happened."

Premier and Tourism Minister Dr. Ewart Brown said that this Fall, a "more than life-size" statue of Sally Bassett will be erected on the Island.

"These are the types of choices available to us as part of a flourishing African Diaspora Heritage Trail," said Dr. Brown.

"To me, the quest is about an African Diaspora connectivity that won't stop for border crossings. The quest is about using our collective story or triumph to stimulate the tourism experience in our home countries.

"The quest is about lighting the spark of appreciation for Diaspora heritage among our people — particularly for those of us living outside of Africa. The quest is about identifying who we are.

"The African Diaspora is about who we are. Since the early part of this decade and the days of David Allen, my former Government colleague, Bermuda has been the worldwide leader in this effort. Our commitment has not wavered; the quest is still alive. We aim to see our quest moved forward at this conference."

Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler said he looked forward to "the sharing of ideas and future visionary planning that will be some of the hallmarks of this important gathering".

"The various presenters will, I am certain, inspire us to consider innovative ways of not only connecting the trails but also heightening people's knowledge and appreciation for them and their cultural significance," said Mr. Butler.

Actor Danny Glover, conference co-Chair, was not present yesterday due to filming commitments, but said in a statement: "We must go forth from this conference and make ADHT a living reality across Africa and the Diaspora, assisting other governments in collaboration with their citizens and business communities to blaze African and Diaspora heritage trails."

Other highlights of the opening plenary included music from Saundra Choudry, Bermuda Teen Idol Lauren Easton and the Bermuda Regiment Band; tributes to the late Pauulu Kamarakafego (Dr. Roosevelt Brown) and Aime Cesaire; and a performance by Places New Generation Gombeys which spilled over into the Fairmont Southampton reception.

Georges Collinet, a broadcaster from Cameroon, who is presenting his UNESCO film 'Slave Routes: A Global Vision' at the conference, said: "It is very exciting to be here, and the Gombeys — it is amazing to see how much of the ancestral moves from Africa are still there."

James Small, from New York, representing the Organisation of African-American Unity, said: "I hope that after this week we can go back to our homes and begin to identify heritage sites, interacting with the private sector and governments to develop them. We can then attract more tourism and involve the local community more."

George Bigurube, a delegate from Tanzania National Parks, will be helping to organise his country's hosting of the conference next year.

He said: "We really want the Diaspora to recognise its roots in Africa and to get more involved in events on the African continent. It is also a way of extending economic and cultural growth."