He will be part of a panel discussing "Beyond the isms and schisms'', which will also feature Russian journalist Ms Yelena Khanga and American professor Dr. John Hagelin.

The two-day conference begins this morning. Britain's most senior race relations officer, Mr. Herman Ouseley, will be part of a panel discussing workplace productivity.

Mr. Ouseley, chairman of the UK commission for racial equality and an advisor to the Institute of Race Relations, met yesterday with Human Affairs Minister the Hon. Jerome Dill and his Shadow counterpart, Ms Renee Webb.

They briefed him on the state of race relations in Bermuda at a short meeting at the Princess Hotel.

After the meeting, Mr. Ouseley told reporters that he saw the issue of race relations in Bermuda as a "management problem'' which needed addressing immediately.

He warned the longer the problem was left unattended the more difficult it would be to address.

He added he would be drawing on his experience in Britain, where the problem is bigger and more complex.

"We had over 130,000 racially motivated violent incidents in 1992,'' he said.

"Racial discrimination is becoming more of a problem right across Europe where we are seeing increases in xenophobia, nazism, racism and anti-semitism.

"In Britain, blacks are less that six percent of the population yet black males make up 27 percent of the prison population while black females make up 14 percent.

"Underachievement among black males is a major problem there, but I hope to pass on my experience while I am here. I haven't come to Bermuda with a ready-made prescription. This will be a learning experience for me too.'' Friday's activities will start at 9 a.m. Premier the Hon. John Swan will speak briefly followed by Shadow Finance Minister Mr. Eugene Cox.

After their remarks they will field questions from young Bermudians about what is required to transform barriers in Bermuda.

Mr. Herman Ouseley.