GOVERNMENT was yesterday urged to reconsider its decision not to attend a United Nations (UN) regional seminar on decolonisation scheduled in the Caribbean next week.

With Bermuda now considering the possibility of independence, it would be prudent to have representatives from the island in attendance, said Walton Brown Jr. The president of Research Innovations Limited has lectured at the event in the past and was invited back this year by the UN, in his capacity as a regional expert.

"(It) brings together government representatives from the British Overseas Territories and other non self-governing territories, representatives from the administering powers, non-governmental organisations and regional experts, to examine a multitude of issues affecting the decolonisation process and constitutional development," explained Mr. Brown, who will deliver a speech at the event on constitutional options for the British Overseas Territories and the implications of the European Union constitution.

"Given Bermuda's current discussion on independence, it would be very helpful for a representative of the Government to attend to share Bermuda's experience and learn from the experiences and challenges of others."

The seminars have been held every two years since 1990, which the UN declared the Decade for the Eradication of Colonisation. The agency spent that period providing aid to countries seeking information on how to work towards independence. Similarly, 2000 was also declared a Decade for the Eradication of Colonisation. Then, the UN expanded its objective to include work with the administrative powers ? largely the United Kingdom, the United States and France.

Next week's conference will be held over two days in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, from May 17 through 19. The UN pays all expenses incurred by attending Government representatives.

"The Bermuda Government has been invited every two years since 1990 and never sent a representative," Mr. Brown continued. "I believe that (former Health Minister) Nelson Bascome attended in 1996 as a member of the Opposition, but it is particularly important at this point, given we have an Independence Commission looking at the issue and that Government says it wants to find out as much as it can.

"It's an opportunity to gain first-hand information, and is clearly of central importance given what Government has already commissioned (the Bermuda Independence Commission) to undertake."

Mr. Brown added he had received a call from a UN representative as recently as last week and that genuine interest was expressed that Bermuda attend. However he said, in speaking with Members of Parliament it was confirmed that no Government representative is to attend.

"I encourage Government to reconsider," he said. "In fact, at the Anguilla seminar two years ago, every British Overseas Territory was represented at the ministerial level ? with the chief minister attending in many cases ? except Bermuda. They would be able to gain insight into a multitude of issues involved in considering constitutional steps. They would be able to listen to the experiences of others.

"It's critically important ? an experience you can't get from just having a visiting mission come here and observe or by having (delegates) speak at the UN. It's important to put our own issues in a context and (this seminar) is the only way to do so. It's about the future of Bermuda and what's good for (the country)."