A special committee has been formed by Government to educate the public about what becoming an associate member of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) would mean for Bermuda.

The committee will be headed by Health and Social Services Nelson Bascome and its activities will include educating the public about the organisation and discussing the issue with community stakeholders, including the various unions and business organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Bermuda International Business Association.

In her background brief to the committee, Premier Jennifer Smith pointed out that a variety of Caribbean and Latin American countries had joined the organisation since its formation in 1973.

She explained that participation in Caricom could be achieved by becoming a full member, an associate member or as an observer in the various institutions of the community and ministerial bodies.

A Government statement quoted the aim of Caricom as "the integration of economies of member states, coordinating the foreign policies of the independent member states and functional cooperation, especially in relation to human and social development".

Other agencies Government is planning to meet with to discuss the issue include the Bermuda National Trust, the Bermuda Football Association, the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control, sports clubs and arts organisations.

Committee members include deputy chairman Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown, BIU president Derrick Burgess, Government MPs Dale Butler and Ottiwell Simmons, Glenn Blakeney and Delroy O'Brien.