Some 80 people gathered in the Harbour Room of Number One shed for a ceremony to mark the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

One of the highlights of the hour long lunchtime programme was the reading of anti racism resolutions developed by members of the general public at last week's 'skit and dialogue evening' organised by the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality (CURE).

The resolutions are directed at community leaders, the education department, the media, business, the community at large and the individual.

Copies are available at the CURE offices on Parliament Street.

CURE is hoping that people will take ownership of the resolutions and do their part in ending racial discrimination.

"It would be nice to see a response from the media and the community on the resolutions," said CURE's executive officer David Northcott.

"CURE is prepared to lend assistance."

One of the resolutions calls for the Island's political leaders to 'attend sensitivity training programmes and set the example to the wider public'.

Another aims to 'encourage collaboration within the media to address issues of racism' and 'develop a forum to hold the media accountable for any racist propaganda that is published and perpetuated'.

Individuals are asked to challenge racial jokes, patronize 'a variety of businesses from Front Street to back of town and model non-discriminatory behaviour'.

The audience was treated to a skit written by Bermudian Che Barker and some musical selections.

Acting premier Eugene Cox read a proclamation declaring March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Bermuda.

Community and Sport Minister Randy Horton and his shadow counterpart then took to the stage, at the urging of Mr. Cox, to say a few words.

He reminded the audience that CURE's mandate was to take steps to end racial discrimination and said that while the goal will not be achieved by the end of the year inroads will have been made.

"Each and everyone of us should play a role to ensure we all get treated the same," he said.

Shadow Minister John Barritt said he did not have much to add because the Minister's sentiments mirrored his.

He then talked about their differences, adding that as politicians 'one of the things we fail to do is embrace our similarities'.

The two then delighted the audience by giving each other a bear hug.