Black and white Bermudians must begin a national conversation about the issues that divide them if the dream of a truly multicultural society is to be realised, an American human rights campaigner said on Saturday.

Mr. Sanford Cloud Jr., chief executive officer for the National Conference, issued this challenge during a 40-minute speech to 200 diners at the second annual National Association for Reconciliation awards banquet at the Palm Reef Hotel.

In an address sprinkled with probing questions and statistical data gleaned in the United States from a recent poll his organisation commissioned, Mr. Cloud said white Americans had a different view of the American dream compared to Americans of colour.

He said Americans of colour -- Asian, African and Latino Americans -- had a bleak unity in their conviction that "they were all outsiders looking in...spectators to the great American banquet to which they have not been invited.'' Despite the enormous media coverage of the afflictions suffered by these groups, Mr. Cloud said white Americans appeared ignorant and looked upon America as a country of opportunity.

"Can you relate your experience in Bermuda?'' Mr. Cloud asked. "Are there full opportunities in corporate Bermuda (for blacks)? Beyond parliament will I find black Bermudians on the directorships of companies and senior management? "I don't know the answers but they are worth asking. Who is taking the pulse of Bermuda?'' Mr. Cloud, whose organisation's mission is to eradicate bias, bigotry and racism from America, said more Bermudians must take a different but essential step to engage each other in "an ongoing national conversation about race, ethnicity and religious tolerance''.

But, he warned, dialogue for its own sake was useless. Instead Bermudians needed to have "constructive engagements that lead to action, in mutually comfortable settings''.

Moreover, during such conversations, attempts must be made to acknowledge stereotypes and perceptions.

Furthermore, these dialogues must become part of the normal routine in boardrooms and workplaces.

Modern technological inventions such as computers and fibre optic cable which are fundamental elements of the growing information superhighway, he said, but "they cannot assure us a decent, livable society.

"We need to have a new network of connections based on shared values, and a mutual commitment to build a new world.'' The NAR presented an award to the Bermuda Electric Light Company for its work in race relations.

Trade unionist Dr. Barbara Ball also received an award for her efforts to obtain justice for Bermuda's workers. Last year's recipients were Canon Thomas Nisbett and the Bermuda Telephone Company.