There are countless issues facing young men across the Island today and few places for them to voice their opinions.

This dire reality led Student Services counsellor Lyndon Jackson to develop “Men Speak”, an all-male forum and registered student organisation (RSO) at the Bermuda College.

“The College noticed there were a lot of male students not achieving at the same level as females,” Mr. Jackson recalls. “They wanted to give them something to motivate and inspire them.

“The idea for a forum had been floating around for a while but when I came onboard a few years ago I knew something had to be done about it. I identify male guest speakers from the community that can come and talk to the guys on a variety of topics.”

With each session, the forums grew in popularity and he noticed a core group of young men regularly showing up. He approached them and proposed they volunteer with future forums.

“I also approached the board and suggested they make Men Speak a registered students’ organisation because of the positive benefits it had on the students and on the community as a whole. So men who register to be apart of Men Speak can earn credits.”

In September 2005, Men Speak became an RSO, with its members meeting twice a week instead of the usual once.

Forums are organised three times a semester by a team of students, which changes each semester: “It gives them an opportunity to learn different skills, like leadership, interpersonal, and public speaking skills.

“Soon the forum will be entirely student run. We want to develop confidence,” he explains. “That’s one of the things we’re looking to do with this.”

The March forum, entitled “Males, violence and gangs”, focused on violence among males and whether or not there is a gang culture on the Island.

It featured an exclusive, taped interview with former gang leader and advisor to US President on Youth Issues, Joseph Jennings, a discussion on gang violence and its impact on Bermuda by Ras Mykkal, and a demonstration on self-defence by Master Sifu Delroi Trott.

“We encourage people to come out and we will soon be opening our doors to the public,” Mr. Jackson says, hoping that young men Island-wide will take the opportunity to listen to what the guest speakers have to say.

The April forum focused on Bermuda and its traditions, something he feels that “Bermudians are losing”.

Men Speak is developing a website for people to learn more about the RSO.

For now the only mode of communication is a newsletter available from Student Services at the College.

Sorry ladies, as with most all-male clubs the old saying rings true, “no girls allowed”.

But do not feel left out as an all female forum was due to commence at the beginning of the 2006/2007 school year.