The National Interest Association plays a major role in helping to educate Bermudians on issues ranging from race relations and Independence to the education system and drugs.

The NIA grew out of a discussion group made up of individuals from all walks of life who came together to exchange ideas and opinions on issues of concern to Bermuda's residents. The organisation was founded by the chairman of the group Mr. Oluremi Bademosi, 29, in November 1993. With just 12 members to start with, the group now boasts a membership of 70.

Mr. Bademosi felt the timing was right for an organisation which had no political ties or showed a bias for or against a particular issue.

"The NIA takes great pride in the fact that it is non-partisan, and has a good fusion of gender and ethnic balance including a percentage of expatriates,'' Mr. Bademosi said.

"Through this mixture the experience of the collective group will be enhanced as each individual will be able to bring their own unique backgrounds to draw upon enabling the organisation to better understand the diverse range of issues in all of its opinions,'' he added.

Mr. Bademosi also said the objective of the NIA was to remain an unbiased, non-partisan organisation and to strive towards instituting positive change in the lives of the people living in Bermuda.

"The NIA is both a proactive and reactive organisation aimed at looking out for the interests of all persons domiciled in these islands. The NIA aims to take definitive steps whenever necessary in ensuring that important issues are not relegated, and we intend to work with the industry, community and special interest groups in maintaining the quality of life in this country.

"Through the utilisation of the media, lobbying, corresponding and other forms of communication, the NIA strives towards keeping important issues in the forefront of people's minds,'' Mr. Bademosi added.

He also stressed that the NIA was committed to discussing and disseminating the organisation's findings on specific issues to the public within the general constraints of the group's resources.

"We disseminate information within the group and when we can we try to give out information to the public.

"We have discussed issues such as Independence, the educational system, drugs in Bermuda, tourism, and specifically the relationship between the Bermuda Industrial Union and hotel employers. Currently we are looking at race relations and we are focusing on discrimination within the workplace, social discrimination, and discrimination within the education system. So far this has been an extremely interesting topic, the reason being because people have a certain perception of race relations.

"And the more it is discussed by a diverse group of individuals the more you as an individual would find out that other individuals' opinions and concerns are not an identical reflection of yours, and that has led to many insightful meetings on these issues.

"Collectively the NIA would like to provide some thought-provoking input on the current topic of race relations,'' Mr. Bademosi said.

He added that the NIA's short-term objective for 1996 was to work with the community, which means youth organisations, community organisations, and schools.

When asked what he saw for the future of the organisation Mr. Bademosi said: "I'd like the group to have a major impact on important issues that Bermuda is faced with which does not mean a fourth political party, but an organisation which is seen by the public to provide factual information without the influence of a political opinion or an ulterior motive.'' He added: "In order to improve race relations in Bermuda it is going to take a concerted effort by parents, teachers, churches, employers, and other social or community organisations going through a realistic educational process which provides clearer and better understanding of an individual's cultural background, which in turn would lead to acceptance.

"If education is providing information then the NIA wants to disseminate information on race relations to the residents in Bermuda which would be a result of four months of discussions and listening to informed guest speakers in addition to researching and reading source material.'' The next NIA meeting will be held on Thursday at the Bank of Bermuda at 7.30 p.m. The meeting is not affiliated with the bank.

HELPING TO EDUCATE -- National Interest Association chairman Mr. Oluremi Bademosi.