A feeling of disenfranchisement by professional, educated, employed Bermudians who have been priced out of living on their own Island home has been identified as a recurring theme brought up by audience members discussing Bermuda's sustainable development future.

And it needs deeper and urgent consideration in the view of Malcolm Butterfield, chairman of the Sustainable Development Round Table, who has attended two of the three public meetings to discuss the draft Sustainable Development Strategy and Implementation Plan which have been held since July.

"The theme that has struck me is that there is a group of people who are feeling disenfranchised. They are people in their mid-30s," said Mr. Butterfield.

"It has got my attention and we have to pay attention. Disenfranchisement is a key factor. We are talking about people who are working, who are bright but are becoming unhappy for a variety of reasons. They are not getting a fair shake, they can't afford a house. "They are a hidden group who are saying they are willing to leave the country, that's what I'm hearing. These are talented, home-grown Bermudians who are educated, have jobs and are professionals."

Mr. Butterfield feels this emerging theme will be raised again in the two remaining public discussions in the current series of five Sustainable Development Strategy forums.

And he foresees further meetings being held to discuss some of the spin-off topics raised, noting: "It seems to me these five meetings are not going to be enough and we should have meetings on topics that people want to discuss."

The Round Table is gathering views and opinions to feed back to Government as it prepares to amend and refine its draft strategy. The high level of public interest in finding a sustainable future for Bermuda has been evident by three "standing room-only" public forums, the latest one held at the BIU headquarters on Tuesday evening, which focused on the Island's natural environment and resources.

Since the first discussion of the draft Sustainable Development Strategy and Implementation Plan in July there has been clear evidence the subject has caught the public imagination, bringing hundreds of people out to take part in the discussions.

Mr. Butterfield said: "They are going very well and there are some great questions coming up and it is great to see the public responding. We are going to take all the information we gather and see what needs to be changed or added to the plan."

And he added: "I like it that there has been a cross section of people at the meetings, although we have to get young people involved, those that are 30 years-old and below. Maybe one of the things we can have is a meeting for the young people on the Island."

The next sustainable development meeting will be on September 5 at St. Paul AME Centennial Hall, Court Street, from 6 p.m.