Men and boys are being urged to get back to basics and empower themselves with the launch of a new self help group this weekend.

The Bermuda Gathering of Men 2000 will meet for the first time on Saturday with the aim of encouraging dialogue among men on the Island and problem-sharing and solving.

At the launch of the group on Tuesday, chairman Bryant Richards said the organisation was an offshoot of the Men on the Move movement in the US.

It is hoping that more than 200 men and teenage boys, of all backgrounds, creeds, races and ages will set aside their egos to open up to each other and talk about issues perculiar to males.

And he hopes this weekend's seminars will be the catalyst for continuing regular meetings and a resource group where people can go for help.

"If you put two strange women next to each other for 15 minutes, they will be able to talk about the issues that affect them -- even if they have never met each other before,'' Mr. Richards said.

"However, men are unable to do that. They do not communicate very well. Even very good friends and brothers never really express how they feel. They think they have to be macho and always appear in control.

"We think it is time for men and teenage boys to come together and discuss between themselves the issues that affect them and how they can improve things for the future.

"We want men to be accountable and learn to have respect for each other and their communities. They can open up and share their issues and discuss ways of improving their situations.

"This weekend is not about women-bashing, it is about empowering men.'' Last October, while on holiday in Brazil with his wife, Mr. Richards got talking with a group of men about their feelings, fears and concerns.

He added: "The experience was rewarding, uplifting and self-fulfilling.

"We had come from all walks of life, from different parts of the world, but felt that a vehicle was needed to encourage dialogue among men.

"Out of that came the Gathering of Men 2000. We made a commitment to each other that we would continue with the idea, and now I believe that this is the third group to be started, the others in America.

"I believe this is a new era of dealing with families and dealing with the problems that men and families experience.'' Many tickets have already been sold for the two-day seminar at Sonesta Beach Hotel, and anyone interested has until tomorrow to buy them.

Women are also being encouraged to buy tickets for their sons, husbands, brothers and male friends. Anyone aged 14 or over can take part.

International guest presenters from Men on the Move in the US will arrive on the Island today and immediately start a busy schedule.

They will begin with an hour-long discussion about the seminar tonight on Court Street.

Tomorrow morning, the presenters will visit Westgate Prison to conduct a two-hour mini seminar with the inmates.

But the main seminar will start on Saturday morning at Sonesta, starting with a breakfast from 7.30 a.m. and then conference registration.

At sunrise on Sunday, the participants are invited to return with their families for a service on Cross Bay, next to Sonesta, where certificates will be presented.

Commitee member Brenton Roberts said all of the churches and groups on the Island had been approached and asked to send representatives along to the meetings.

Tickets, which cost $50, can be bought from the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Recreation, on the corner of Court and Reid streets, 27th Century Boutique, and Advantage Computer Solutions.