Labour and Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox yesterday invited civil servants and the public to "embrace change'' in charting a new course for Bermuda in the 21st century.

"Progress is like a moving train,'' she told members of the Bermuda Public Services Association at a meeting yesterday. `If we don't get on board now then we could miss it completely.'' Ms Cox also stressed the importance of "upgrading skills'' to keep up with technological advances in Government.

"Education is power,'' she said. "Maximising our potential means a lifetime of adding to and improving what we learn and how we learn it.'' Ms Cox emphasised the importance of co-operation between civil servants and Government Ministers, adding that it was only in this spirit that Bermuda would be able to live up to its "maximum potential'' in a continually changing global marketplace.

"Technology will play a pivotal role helping us to do this,'' she said. "If we are going to use this new technology in the work-place, then employees have to look seriously at upgrading their skills.'' Ms Cox said Bermuda was just "in the process of sticking its oars in the water'' in trying to make e-commerce a possible "third pillar of the economy''.

"We have vision for change, for implementing a rethinking of how we do things,'' she said.

"We have a duty to act in Bermuda's best interest and it is our shared responsibility to make Government more accessible for every one of the people of this Island. To do this, we have to have the courage to move out of the comfort zone of the familiar,'' she said, "I urge you to turn your mind toward moving the process forward.'' Ms Cox pointed out several examples of what she felt were "bold steps'' taken by her ministry over the past few months.

They included the alternative sentences scheme, the Police Core Functions Review and the review of the Bermuda Regiment's role.

She also said the new work permits policy was a perfect example of how Government intended to "consult and canvass'' the whole community before it came up with decisions.

"What could and should have been viewed positively by many people was seen in a different way because people aren't used to this new approach of being told their views count.'' But Ms Cox emphasised the significant difference between consulting and acquiescing.

"We all have a stake in this community and we want to genuinely maximise our potential in this new age,'' she said. "There has to be a sense of mission because the policies of the present decide what our future will be.'' Ms Cox said she felt Bermuda was a "remarkable place''.

"From the sleepy little place it was before the war, it has been transformed into a little powerhouse of an Island.'' "I love what I do and I love the Ministry I work in,'' she said. "This is mostly because I have the privilege of working with a good, strong team.

"They have to be as efficient and effective as they can be but when there's a problem I will take the flak for it. That is the role of a Government Minister.

"There are a number of issues circulating at present,'' Ms Cox continued, "and when you talk to the critics, most of them say they are in favour of change but not in their own back yard.

"That's why it is everyone's individual responsibility to give every bit of effort in making sure that Bermuda profits as a whole in this changing climate,'' she said. "That is the essence of a social contract.'' "You know what the right thing, the progressive thing to do is. I ask you to help us in delivering quality to our clients, who are the people of Bermuda.'' Paula Cox