On February 10, 1990 Nelson Mandela walked free from prison after serving twenty seven years in prison.

Two different men, living on separate continents but unified by one vision.

This weekend the Bermuda College is the site of a two-day international conference entitled "Beyond Barriers'' which is aimed at fulfilling the dream.

Conference organiser Mr. Glen Fubler told The Royal Gazette yesterday that the Anti-Apartheid Coalition initiated the idea for the conference last November.

Since then the idea has branched out to include other groups such as the National Association for Reconciliation, the Coalition for the Protection of Children and the Seniors Learning Centre at the Bermuda College.

"We want to keep Dr. King's dream alive especially with the end of the millennium approaching,'' he said. "The conference will also be on an international level because this will give us a sense of objectivity.

"Bermudians, regardless of background, will be able to appreciate this.'' On Monday, Beyond Barriers organisers, put on an evening of entertainment at Victoria Park, which attracted hundreds of people.

Those attending the workshops tomorrow and Saturday can look forward to a stimulating two days, say organisers who have brought in a host of internationally respected people.

Ms Yelena Khanga, a Russian-born journalist with the Moscow News, will speak from her unique position about "living the life of breaking barriers''.

"I have written a book about my own journey as a black woman with Jewish, Muslim and American heritage,'' she said. "The main idea I will share is that we are all related. You will be surprised what you will find when you start to heritage. You can't chose your relatives, so we must learn to love each other.'' Also speaking at the conference is Archbishop Edward Scott who was in charge of all the Anglican Churches in Canada for fifteen years.

In 1985, he went to South Africa as the Canadian representative on the Commonwealth Group of Eminent Persons.

"I will be speaking about race and sex,'' he said. "We are living in a male dominated world. The first European settlers carried an ethos of white supremacy which has shaped many societies.

"We have to get many whites to be aware of many of the assumptions they carry and try to get people to meet as people.

"My task will be to try to get people to think in wider terms and think about the context in which they operate.'' Tomorrow morning's session will tackle workplace related issues such as conflict resolution, Bermudian and expatriate dynamics, and the overcoming of glass ceilings.

That evening Ms Khanga will speak about her own life and multicultural heritage which will be followed on Saturday by workshops on Multiculturalism, Human Rights, and getting beyond the "isms and schisms''.

Interested people can register for the conference which is also free, at the London Shop and 27th Century Boutique.

BARRIER BREAKERS -- Ms Yelena Khanga and Archbishop Edward Scott will be speaking this weekend at the Beyond Barriers two-day conference that starts tomorrow.