academic minds this weekend for a prestigious conference.

Top politicians, lecturers, lawyers and ordinary Bermudians are all taking part in the Bermuda College gathering, which will analyse the Island's road to democracy.

The Constitutional Reform and Democracy in Bermuda event, expected to attract about 100 people, marks 25 years of the 1968 constitution.

Opened by Botswana appeal court president Mr. Justice Amissah last night, the conference will today discuss the 1918-1968 period, the Constitutional Conference, the road to democracy and developments from 1968 to now.

Tomorrow, Bermuda's constitutional future will be tackled by a round table of young politicians and a youth forum including Bermuda College students.

Past and present political figures taking part include Sen. Albert Jackson, Mr. Ira Philip, the Hon. Sir John Plowman, Sir John Sharpe, Mr. Hugh Richardson, the Hon. John Stubbs, Mrs. Lois Browne-Evans, Ms Jennifer Smith, the Hon. Mr. Jerome Dill and Ms Paula Cox.

Academics include Dr. Eva Hodgson, Mr. Walton Brown, Mr. Craig Simmons and Mr.

Roy Wright, and lawyers include Mr. Arnold Francis QC, Mr. Ian Kawaley and Mr.

Mark Pettingill.

It costs $30 to attend the conference, which marks the first use of the college's new faculty centre.