About 200 people are expected to turn out for the Women in Public Life Conference slated to begin on Thursday.

High profile speakers such as US Congresswoman Diane Watson, attorney Cherie Booth, novelist Sara Peretsky and journalist Carol Jenkins are among the presenters who have confirmed.

The three day conference will take place at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

Nigel Hickson, a member of the organising committee, said that between 150 and 160 people had already signed up and that he anticipated that figure would rise to at least 200 by Thursday.

Mr. Hickson said that the majority of participants signed up are locals. "I think about 100 or so are locals."

"We are averaging about 150 people for each event," he added. Mr. Hickson said late entrants were welcome and could sign up online at www.womeninpubliclife.bm or by calling 292-4595.

Men are encouraged to attend the international conference which follows in the footsteps of the historic UN Women's Conference held in Beijing in 1995.

"We're definitely encouraging men to attend as well and we have Rev. Jesse Jackson speaking as well as several other men," Mr. Hickson said.

Former Prime Minister of Luxembourg Markus Buchel, for example, will be joining Rev. Jackson and Dame Lois Browne-Evans on a panel discussing `Women and Men in Partnership - The Way Forward'.

Tickets range in price according to events chosen. There is an all inclusive $500 ticket which includes the opening and special dinner sessions. Alternatively there are $250 tickets which cover just the business or lunch meetings or a $150 ticket for one dinner and the opening.