year.

Cable Network News International's executive producer, Pam Benson, will visit the Island in February to attend a roundtable breakfast meeting at the US Consul General's official residence.

Ms Benson, who produced top programmes for CNN including coverage of the US Democratic and Republican conventions, Russian elections from Moscow, and the G7 Summit in Halifax, has been invited to Bermuda by women's research and development group Akinstall International.

Founder of the group Valirie Akinstall last night told The Royal Gazette she decided to invite Ms Benson to Bermuda because she believed there was a need for local women to consider issues affecting them and women around the world.

"We need to look beyond our shores,'' she said. "What do we do that can benefit women in other areas? "Have we really attempted to look beyond our economic development?'' Bermuda has to look at political, economical, social, and cultural issues facing its women, Ms Akinstall stressed.

"While we are far ahead of many countries in terms of economic development,'' she said, "There is no economic policy for women. And we're tapping into social development late.'' The visit could lead to CNN producing a programme on the role of women in Bermuda.

Ms Akinstall also questioned the role and direction of the new Ministry of Women's Affairs.

"I'm still a little bit foggy as to what this Ministry is doing,'' she said.

"I see it heavily emerged in the social development of women. But all it is doing is bringing together issues already considered by other ministries. I've yet to see it break new ground.'' While Ms Akinstall said she expected some eight women -- including researchers, politicians, businesswomen, and representatives of women's groups -- to attend the breakfast meeting, she said she had not yet confirmed the list of participants.

"The roundtable discussion will focus on the agenda of national and international women's issues,'' she added.

Akinstall International will also host an after 5 p.m. reception at The Princess Hotel for CNN International.

At that function, Ms Benson is expected to discuss women in the media and discuss some of the programmes that she has produced for CNN International.