People from all over the world will descend on Bermuda for the African Diaspora Heritage Conference this summer.

Renowned scholars and high-ranking government officials will discuss economic and cultural issues within African Diaspora countries during the five-day event at Fairmont Southampton in July.

Premier Ewart Brown — whose Ministry of Tourism and Transport is sponsoring the conference — yesterday said he was aiming to outdo last year's effort in the Bahamas.

The project, the brainchild of late Tourism Minister David Allen, is a drive to unite African descendents from all over the world, encourage the development of African Diaspora Heritage trails and promote stabilisation of economies in Diaspora communities.

It is in its fourth year and is held in Bermuda every other year.

Hollywood actor and social activist Danny Glover is co-chair along with Permanent Secretary of Education Radell Tankard.

Speakers will include Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture director Howard Dodson; mayor of City of Atlanta Shirley Franklin; entertainer and film-maker Rita Marley; former US ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young; founding director of the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture Lonnie Bunch.

Dr. Brown said yesterday: "The 2008 ADHT Conference swings back to Bermuda following a highly successful conference in the Bahamas last year. We'll do our best in Bermuda to outdo last year's experience.

"We decided three years ago that the conference would return to Bermuda every other year.

"After all, the idea was conceived in Bermuda and we felt we should bring the event back to its place of origin as often as we could; so ADHT comes home in alternate years. I always look forward to it."

The conference, which takes place from July 26 to 30, is open to the public and especially designed for educational, governmental and tourism professionals.

Registration rates for all events begin at $499 per person.

For more information on pricing and the African Diaspora Heritage Trail, telephone 301-650-5700 ext. 507 or visit www.adht.net