their concerns and hopes at Bermuda's first-ever Youth Summit, held at Fort Hamilton last night.

The brainchild of Bermuda Broadcasting Limited's deputy general manager, Mr.

Rick Richardson, the gathering was organised to help initiate a positive dialogue with youth.

"We always hear that you do not have a voice or a platform,'' Mr.

Richardson told the crowd. "The politicians say they don't know what you want, and we hear from the parents who say they're not quite sure either. So tonight, we feel we will be able to deliver the answers to some of those (people).'' Power 95 announcer Sherrie J and ZBM sports reporter Butchie B were co-moderators for the evening, which also featured some of Bermuda's most talented young performers.

Students from various schools were asked to compile "proclamations'' listing the issues they felt were most important to them, and give recommendations.

The overwhelming concern of the Island's young -- which became evident as the lists were read by school representatives -- was the state of the Government education system.

Before the start of the summit, Premier Sir John Swan was presented with duplicate copies of each school's submission.

According to Mr. Richardson, the Premier, along with the Minister of Youth, Sport and Recreation Senator Pamela Gordon, would act upon the main recommendations.