Internationally renowned Bermudian-born motivational speaker Dennis Rahiim Watson returned to the Island to speak before delegates at the World Conference of Mayors on Monday.

Mr. Watson, president of the New York-based National Black Youth Leadership Council, gave the keynote address at a conference luncheon at the Elbow Beach hotel following conference opening ceremonies.

He has lectured at more than 200 international universities and has received more than 250 awards for his work with black youth -- including five White House citations.

And in an interview with The Royal Gazette , Mr. Watson spoke about his perception of local politics, youth and tourism.

He encouraged all Bermudians to work toward making the new Government successful, stating: "Each must make a pledge, because everyone benefits from success.'' "Now that we've got some political power, now is not the time to sleep,'' he said, encouraging Bermudians to take initiative and "roll up their sleeves''.

He said that many local problems should be solved by the people themselves instead of relying solely on Government, stating: "Now is the time for volunteerism.'' And he criticised the former UBP Government, stating: "I love Bermuda and Bermudian people, but we have been used and misused by the previous Government who lost complete respect, appreciation and honour from the people they were elected to serve.'' "They forgot that truth crushed to the Earth will rise again...instead of being the servant of the people, they wanted to be the master -- and slavery is over.

"In spite of growing up in an apartheid-type environment -- in spite of being kicked out of Churchill (Robert Crawford school) 37 times -- in spite of that, I've used my voice to lift-up Bermuda.

"I've spoken at thousands of conferences and I've never said a bad word about the politics of Bermuda because I never wanted to jeopardise the tourism industry and keep tourists from putting food on the table of maids, bus drivers, and cab drivers.

"This has been an ongoing struggle...but I do all I can as a Bermudian abroad,'' he added.

Mr. Watson urged young Bermudians "to give God the thanks, the praise and the glory for life''.

And he said the highest priority of local youth should be to uplift their parents.

"Our mothers carry us in their bellies for nine months, and they have the stretch marks and Caesarean cut marks as evidence... we need to make them proud for giving birth to us.'' Mr. Watson said Bermudians were "some of the most blessed people on God's Earth'' and he said our mission was "to unite the whole fabric of this community by putting together the fathers with their sons and the mothers with their daughters''.

He said Bermuda needed to have a day of forgiveness -- an "amnesty day to forgive and forget'' -- to link together children and parents regardless of whether they were born out of wedlock or whether parents were unable to pay child support.

And he criticised the youth of Bermuda for focusing too much on hairstyles instead of school.

He stated: "It's not what's on your head, it's what's in your head that will determine your success.'' Dennis Rahim Watson