Mr. Henry Douglas has been named director of Community and Cultural Affairs.

Governor Lord Waddington approved the appointment, which was recommended by the Public Service Commission, Government announced this week.

Mr. Douglas has served as acting director on a rotating basis since October of 1993. He succeeds Mr. Lowdru Robinson, who was made director of the new Ministry of Human Affairs.

Before taking his present post, Mr. Douglas spent 14 years as Government's coordinator of community education and development. In that post, he developed and administered the Warwick Community Education Programme -- described in the news release as "the most successful Government programme ever''.

He also helped develop the Heritage Day Parade, senior citizen groups, and many other community projects.

"Mr. Douglas has a wealth of experience dealing with community matters and I'm sure he'll continue to do a sterling job as my director,'' said Community and Culture Minister the Hon. Wayne Furbert.

His reputation led to his appointment in 1985 as regional director for the International Community Education Association, giving him responsibility for developing community programmes not only in Bermuda, but throughout the Caribbean.

Mr. Douglas, who turns 52 on Friday, was a teacher with the Board of Education in Detroit, Michigan from 1965 to 1979. His peers voted him Teacher of the Year in 1967.

After graduating from Southampton Glebe School and Berkeley Institute, he entered Wilberforce University in Ohio, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1965. He later attended the University of Detroit Graduate School and Wayne State University Graduate School.

He also holds certificates in community education, leadership, and gerontology from New York University and the National Centre for Community Education.

Mr. Douglas lives in Smith's Parish and is married with one child.