Today's government forum on youth issues should draw about 100 participants, according to the Department of Communication and Information (DCI).

The forum, entitled "Strengthening Youth Together" has been organised by the Ministry of Community Affairs and Sport and runs until February 13 at the Sonesta Hotel.

New Jersey police officer Sgt. De Lacy Davis will deliver the keynote address during the lunch break tomorrow. Geoff Thompson, MBE, executive director of the UK Youth Charter for Sport, will speak on Thursday morning.

"He will share some of his organisation's successes in working with disaffected young persons in Manchester and internationally over the last ten years," according to a DCI statement.

"By the end of the conference it is hoped that organisations will be able to deliver more efficient programmes to youth. Additionally there will be an emphasis on coming to some agreement on strategies that will harness and direct the energies of Bermudas' young persons towards behaviours that are constructive and productive."