Hundreds of people last night celebrated the remarkable life of 'Son of the Soil' Dr. Pauulu Kamarakafego (Roosevelt Browne).

The community paid tribute to the civil rights campaigner, United Nations development officer and ecological engineer on the first anniversary of his death, with an evening of music, dance, song, speeches and poetry.

'A Celebration of the Life and Achievements of Dr. Pauulu O.N. Roosevelt Browne Kamarakafego' was organised by the Government in association with Batho Pele (People First), an organisation set up to 'continue to uphold the philosophy of Dr. Pauulu Kamarakafego'.

The Bermudian, who passed at the age of 74, was an early champion of sustainable development and was instrumental in organising NGOs around the world on its principles.

He worked tirelessly on community, governmental and international projects in the rural areas of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific, seeking to improve people's lives through a better standard of living.

On home soil, Dr. Kamarakafego spearheaded the universal adult suffrage movement in Bermuda and was also a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Pan African Movement.

Last night, a display at the Hamilton Princess revealed the extraordinary scale of his work around the world.

Photographs, newspaper cuttings and awards sat side by side with African wooden carvings and 'Pauulu's last knitting project' — a plum-coloured jumper. There was a copy of the programme for the 1st Regional Black Power Conference — held in Bermuda in July 1969, as well as Dr. Kamarakafego's speeches and reports.

These ranged from 'Some recommendations for disaster preparedness (2005)' to 'The environmental aspects of small hydro projects (1994)' and 'Recommendations for the efficient use of a large Marine rescuecraft and helicopter'.

Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler, introducing the evening as Master of Ceremonies, said: "Tonight we pause to reflect and pay tribute to a great Bermuda soldier and citizen."

A procession of adults and children carrying the flags of world nations then preceded a colourful performance by the African Dance Company. This was followed by the artistry of Dezjuan Thomas of United Dance Productions, performing the dance tribute 'Pauulu'.

Cindy Weeks of Batho Pele then gave a reading of Dr. Kamarakafego's Biography.

Dr. Kamarakafego, who received a doctorate degree in Ecological Engineering at the California Institute of Technology in 1959, once said: "I learned at a very young age that whatever knowledge I acquire from society does not belong to me. Therefore, my philosophy in life is that we should always give back to society wherever we are — be it Bermuda or some other place in the world. Giving back can be in many forms, eg. teaching, informing the public of their rights, working with them and volunteer work."

Ms Weeks said: "Long before the term 'sustainable development' became fashionable and entered mainstream vocabulary, Dr. Browne was practising and teaching others in remote rural areas of the world how to develop their communities in a sustainable way, taking advantage of their traditional experience and local environment."

She said whether he was teaching science in African countries or advising their governments, having his techniques in rural technology documented in engineering manuals, or designing a levy system for New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, "it is without questions that this 'Son of the Soil' was a great man".

Ms Weeks said: "He has given back to different societies all over the world as scientist, engineer, inventor, organiser, advisor, sportsman and politician. He maintained a form commitment to justice and human rights for all."

The Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown, then paid tribute. Dr. Brown said: "Almost a year ago I was proud to declare Pauulu a citizen of the world. His native land of Bermuda was just too small for him — for his intellect and for his desire to serve people. The unfortunate history of our country meant that a man of Pauulu's genius could only be defined by the colour of his skin. A lesser man would have obediently hidden his talents and bowed to the system that sought to constrain him. Not Pauulu.

"A life such as his causes us to be thankful for the opportunity to share in it. The eternally refreshing thing about being in Pauulu's presence was that there was no end to solutions. Whether it was a discussion about how to address the maintenance of Blackwatch Pass, or an efficient means of dealing with flooding in low-lying areas north of Till's Hill, Pauulu would simply say, quietly, 'Doc…I designed the system for that…. you want the plans?'.

"He had thought of solutions to things that were not yet problems. Think about that. He thought of solutions for things that were not yet problems."

Dr. Brown said: "This country's Father of universal adult suffrage lived long enough to see the concept he championed on these shores mature into the adult form of one man one vote, each vote of equal value.