MARC Bean, co-founder and member of the Ethiopian World Federation (EWF) local chapter, believes in universal love and co-operation and says the world would be a better place if we lived in understanding of each other's cultures.

Educated at Southampton Glebe Primary and the Berkeley Institute, the Bermudian went on to study aviation management at Delaware State University and Hampton University in Virginia. He then attended flight school in Atlanta and air traffic control school in England and is now a qualified air traffic control specialist and commercial pilot.

Today, the 28-year-old taxi driver is no longer working in the field of aviation. But his passion for aviation management remains and he hopes one day to contribute to Bermuda's air transportation development. Meanwhile, he is pursuing his MBA via the Internet at Edinburgh Business School and is dedicated to his work with the Ethiopian World Federation.

Reporter TRICIA HILL and photographer TAMELL SIMONS spoke with Mr. Bean about the Ethiopian World Federation and his spiritual connection with the country.

Q: Explain a little bit about the Ethiopian World Federation (EWF) worldwide.

A: The EWF was created as a result of the Italian invasion of Ethiopia between 1935 and 1941, which was the cause and the first major conflict of World War Two. It was symbolic of a battle of evil over good. And as a result of that conflict, it set off a spark in the consciousness of Africans worldwide.

Up until that point, the rest of the people in Africa and people of colour around the world were subjected to colonial rule. Ethiopia had always been a symbol of independence, equality and justice. And so when it was being subjugated to the aggressor, the consciousness of Africans especially in America exploded because they realised that the state of Ethiopia directly influenced their future in the USA and worldwide.

His Imperial Majesty constituted the EWF and he sent his personal physician to the West as his envoy to allow for Ethiopian people to rally around each other and restore what had been lost. And at the same time, it was meant to strengthen the cause of Ethiopia outside of Ethiopia during that conflict.

Q: When did you form the local division of the Ethiopian World Federation? And were you the driving force behind it?

A: The initial meeting was in August 1998 so we've been functioning since then. You need 25 members to form a local division according to our constitution so there were a lot of people involved. But I had the responsibility of getting the charter and organising the initial meetings. I also served as the initial president for the first year and a half to two years. But there were about four or five key members that were instrumental in the formation and ongoing maintenance of the EWF in Bermuda. We currently have between 50 and 100 members.

Q: You are looking to strengthen the cultural and economic links with Ethiopia. Why is this so important to you and the local division of the EWF?

A: The number one aim of the Ethiopian Federation is to promote love and goodwill among members at home and abroad. The best way to do that is through cultural and economic exchange - through investment, development, education and other avenues which can form the basis of an ongoing relationship. It's important because the EWF has aims and objectives that are meant for its members to cultivate and seek to practise within their daily living - aims and objectives that are universal in scope and that are found in all the major world religions.

The EWF's secondary purpose is social and charitable work. But its primary purpose is to inculcate the ancient Ethiopian culture within its members, thus becoming a system whereby one can choose according to his own will and desire to find the opportunity for spiritual renewal or rebirth. Ethiopians and Africans can find a way - through their own will and desire - to relink with their cultural heritage.

Q: Have you always been interested in Africa and, more specifically, Ethiopia?

A: From a youth, my father has always inculcated within me the desire to be abreast of world affairs and world events. And he always instilled in me a love of geography and history. After going to university in the States and going through the trials and tribulations that accompany university life as a young man, I realised that the world itself had nothing to offer a man. It's full of illusions and pitfalls.

During that time period, it was really tough. And I actually left flight school - which was the only real thing in the world that interested me - because I realised that it was connected to the rest of the world, which I personally had become disinterested in. It was only when I returned to Bermuda and came into contact with cultural sages within our community, namely Ras Archie, that I renewed my thinking. He put me in an environment that allowed me to learn more about my history and culture. As a result, that gave my activities some level of value. Because I had received the cultural instruction that I had lacked up until that time, my physical activities took on some purpose. That's when I realised that all my aviation training and expenses were not in vain.

I realised that if I am going to fly, I will use it for the benefit of people. Instead of being selfish with it, I'll be selfless. We know that air transport is unique in that it allows man to link and it shortens distances and barriers. Aviation is a perfect tool then for universal love and co-operation and goodwill and unity.

Q: The EWF chapter in Bermuda is helping to build schools in Shashemane in Ethiopia. How are you doing this? Are you physically helping to build the schools or are you financing them?

A: It's coming out of our pockets. We have contributions from friends and family and those who have an interest in development. And we have many people in our community with skills that are highly valued in Ethiopia.

Right now the schools are being built using chicca, which is the method and material of construction used traditionally in Ethiopia. It's development according to the budget that is available. Support comes from (EWF) members' contributions and members of the public who are interested and want to contribute financial resources toward the goal.

Q: The Queen of Sheba Trading Post No. 4 on Angle Street stocks countless items from Ethiopia. When did it open? Who owns it? And what is its purpose?

A: The trading post is a retail expression, an activity that allows us to practise what we preach. It was opened in 1999 and is collectively owned by members of the Federation.

Q: How did you first become involved in the Federation?

A: Modern society basically functions off of institutional arrangements. Every people create institutions that serve their vital interest. The most disorganised people in the world from our perspective was our own in that we didn't have institutions that can promote and enhance African culture therefore leading to a greater understanding among other cultures.

Recognition of that institutional void led me to search for something that can fill it. Within that search came the revelation of the EWF, which has been in existence since 1937. My first contact with the EWF though came when I was in air traffic control school in England. My first influence came then and when I was searching for something, I knew it was in existence - so seek and you will find.

Q: When did you first visit Ethiopia?

A: In 1998. I was named international treasurer for the EWF worldwide at that time. So I was required to travel to Ethiopia in November 1998. Our purpose was to scout it out, see the realities, dispel the myths and come back with a realistic account as possible.

When we came back and gave our honest account, it inspired some to go to Ethiopia themselves and inspired others to help out from this side of the world.

Q: Have you been back since that time? And do you want to back again?

A: Yes, I went back in the year 2000. And absolutely - I will go back again.

Q: Why is all of the work being done in Shashemane? What is its significance?

A: Shashemane was granted by the Emperor through the Ethiopian World Federation for the benefit of Ethiopians/Africans in the West who desired to return to Ethiopia to contribute to Ethiopia's development.

The Shashemane land grant has become a focal and rallying point since then for Ethiopians in the West to return to Ethiopia.

The land grant's main purpose is to be a place whereby international co-operation between Ethiopians at home and abroad may occur.

However, that is manifested does not matter. The underlying essence is the co-operation that has to occur.

Q: What would you like to see happen in the next five years as far as the EWF is concerned?

A: As relationships continue to evolve between Ethiopians at home and abroad, my hope is that it will lead to a level of culture and economic exchange that will allow Ethiopia and Ethiopians a secure, more positive position within the global scheme of things and within that position, afford humanity the opportunity of moral teachings - which are the hallmark of Ethiopian culture.

We would like to see more investment in time, energy, finance and skills from the West in Ethiopia.

Q: Outside of your travel to Ethiopia, do you like to travel and do you travel often?

A: Yes, absolutely - I love to travel. I have been to Europe, the Caribbean and North America.

I would love to be able to go to Asia, Central and South America. But Africa is so large and vast that my focus right now for travel is Africa.

But I would encourage everyone to travel when they have the opportunity. And travel outside of the US, Canada and England because it's actually a living university. You can see how people live and appreciate man in their diversity.

Q: What do you do in your spare time? What are your hobbies?

A: I am presently the captain for Somerset Bridge cricket team and I am assistant manager/assistant coach for Somerset Eagles football team.

I am an avid sports fan, but my num ber one hobby is research, studying and quiet contemplation and meditation. The pursuit of peaceful arts.

Q: Are you married and do you have children?

A: I am single. And I have two children - Shaelay and Janhoi.

Q: How rewarding is your work with the EWF?

A: Well, we think that we're giving them something materially. But spirtually, we - in the West - are the ones that are being empowered.