and less ego'', Independent Senator Joe Johnson said last night.

He said there was more to the recession than a short-term downturn and solving many of the problems facing Bermuda could be "intensified'' if its leaders acted more responsibly.

Mr. Johnson, president of American International in Bermuda, was one of four top local businessmen who spoke at a forum to address the effects of the recession on Bermuda and how it can fight them.

"Bermuda is in a crisis,'' Sen. Johnson told the roughly 30 people who turned out for the forum -- organised by educator and anti-apartheid activist Mr.

Glenn Fubler.

"The Island's hotel industry is foundering, crimes of violence are increasing, unemployment is at an all-time high, and people are stressed to the breaking point.

"It's time to come together and constructively assess our situation. All Bermudians of all political persuasions must come together and participate fully in the redevelopment of Bermuda.'' The four speakers were unanimous in their belief that the people of Bermuda and especially the workers were the Island's most important resource.

"While things look bleak, we still have the number one ingredient for success in rebuilding the economy -- our people,'' Sen. Johnson said.

He said the Island's residents could contribute to the economy by helping to keep up Bermuda's reputation as a safe and friendly place.

And he said leaders can help confront economic and social woes by acting with "political maturity and moderation''.

He added that Government must have a bipartisan approach to establishing task forces to examine problems in the community.

Bermuda Industrial Union Credit Union manager Mr. Calvin Smith said that because Bermuda's economy was a service economy greater effort should be made to educate, hire and promote Bermudians.

He said not enough Bermudians owned and managed local hotels and held the top jobs in local businesses.

"There are too few Bermudians controlling the workplace,'' he said.

Former hotelier and management consultant Mr. Horst Finkbeiner said quality was the key to survival in Bermuda.

He said "the isles to the south are catching up fast'' and Bermuda's "guests'' today have far more choices than in the past.

He said residents had an important role to play in making sure they choose Bermuda: "The Department of Tourism can spend all the money in the world to try and promote the Island but what counts is what the visitor gets when he gets here.'' He added he would like to see an award scheme as an incentive to Bermuda businesses to strive to provide service and quality.

Social activist and AME Reverend Alphonso Sherald gave the church's view on how the Island can "come to grips with the effects of the recession''.

He said Government needed to take a closer look at its annual jobs survey and better promote what jobs are available in Bermuda to Bermudians.

He suggested Government should put out a kind of `Best Jobs in the 1990s Guide' for the benefit of Bermudian students.

Rev. Sherald said an unemployment benefit scheme was long overdue.

"The needs of the people are not being met,'' he charged. "Social Services cannot adequately serve all those in need during these troubling times.

"Time is marching on and in two years nothing has been done to help alleviate the unemployment problem -- it's getting worse and worse.''