forces with a group of friends to address the issue of enhancing the growth and development of the Island's youth.

The non-partisan group will be holding the first of a two-part forum on Thursday this week at the Centennial Hall, beginning at 7.30 p.m. Mr. Shakir will moderate the informal gathering, which will feature guest speakers.

The focus of the forum will be the problems facing young people, and organisers are hoping that both speakers and the audience will be able to put forward possible solutions.

Audience participation and feedback will be encouraged, and interested individuals will be invited to join task force groups. These will look at the issues and concerns of the Island's youth, and help to develop solutions and programmes to address them, said Mr. Shakir.

Speakers at Thursday's forum will include bus driver Mr. Milton Bean, Teen Services' social worker Mr. Arthur Douglas, probation officer Mr. Alfred Maybury and a representative from the Government Statisticians office.

Young people from NADA's Youth to Youth organisation have also been invited to participate along with others who will be able to answer questions concerning their area of expertise.

A planned follow-up meeting will enable the task force groups to specifically address some of the concerns raised.

Mr. Shakir can be contacted at 236-2444 or 295-5159 for further information.