Campaigners aiming to build a better Bermuda held a celebration to mark the historic launch of a Reconciliation Government in Northern Ireland.

Imagine Bermuda 2009 is a community initiative aiming to lay the foundations for the 400th anniversary of the settling of the Island.

Members met on Tuesday in Flanagan’s Irish Pub to mark the first day in office of DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness as first and deputy first ministers in Northern Ireland.

It signalled the end of five years of direct rule and was hailed by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair as a chance for Northern Ireland to “escape the heavy chains of history”.

At the Flanagan’s event, Imagine Bermuda 2009 also recognised the efforts of people who helped bring peace to Bermuda in troubled times.

These include the late Margaret Carter, who championed the the rights of the disabled; Canon Thomas Nisbett, who promoted reconciliation during the General Strike of 1981; and Bishop Vernon Byrd, who served as minister of St. Paul’s AME Church during the 1960s and played a key reconciliatory role during the 1959 dock workers’ strike and the 1965 Belco strike.

Canon Nisbett and Bishop Byrd were both present for yesterday’s get-together.

Imagine Bermuda 2009 co-chairman Glenn Fubler said the contributions of all three highlighted the themes of his group: release, reconcile, renew.

Mr. Fubler said: “Imagine Bermuda is about looking at our past and drawing from them so we can move forward.

“The thing about Northern Ireland is that some people think division is only based on race, like in South Africa.

“But this demonstrates that division can come in any form.

“The world can draw from their spirit of reconciliation, and they can draw from ours in Bermuda.”

Today, the group will be marking the anniversary of the inauguration of Reconciliation Government of South Africa at the City Hall, from 12.15 p.m. to 1.45 p.m. In the event of bad weather, the event will take place in the City Hall Auditorium.

It will include performances from Berkeley and Saltus students.