Diversity Institute of Bermuda is set to raise its visibility on the Island.

"We are now basically open for business,'' said executive officer Collette Lundy. "Now we have a home. We have been operating out of Bermuda College but it was shared office space. Now we're in New Hall with a fairly large office where people can come and discuss issues of diversity.'' The new space also holds a resource and video library.

"The institute's not well known in Bermuda right now,'' said co-chair Jo-Ann Pully. "But, within the next 12 months it will be. We have an interesting plan to offer programmes and services and it will be exciting.'' "Last year our focus was not to raise visibility,'' added her co-chair Oluremi Bademosi. But this year, that will change.

And while the institute is not a political organisation, its management team believe there is room for them to get involved in hot issues such as the long-term residents forums.

In fact the institute played exactly such in the development of the `Dialogue in Black and White' which took place on December 12.

When Cris Valdes-Dapena originally mentioned the idea of a "race debate'' in the media, the institute took notice.

Facilitators worked with the panelists "to help them become comfortable with each other and with the purpose and the topic'', and to help them deconstruct preconceptions they might have in order "to talk about a highly emotive issue'' in a productive way, added Mr. Bademosi.

Although race is a hot topic in Bermuda, the institute's trio of representatives want to be clear that when they talk about diversity they mean much more than just race. Sexual orientation, gender issues, cultural and religious differences, class sensitivities, mental and physical challenges all fall under their umbrella as well.

And organisations and companies should not undervalue its importance, especially in the age of globalisation, they said. "Diversity should not be slotted into soft skills training,'' said Ms Pully. "It can have a major impact on a company's bottom line.'' The non-profit organisation had been operating since last January and diversity training programmes have been running since 1995, but until yesterday, the organisation did not have a permanent home.

The facilitators have all completed training in conducting workshops and programmes on diversity and human interaction. And just this weekend 16 of those facilitators received advanced levels of qualification in a graduation ceremony at the college after completing some 300 hours of training.

Training is done in collaboration with the National Training Laboratories in Washington, D.C. and the latest group completed the Experience Based Diversity Learning and Training Certificate programme.

Now the institute is set to unveil "a suite of new programmes to the public -- not just organisations and corporations'', said Mr. Bademosi. And they will tailor programmes to the specific needs of clients.

The Diversity Institute can be contacted by e-mail at clundy y bercol.bm or by calling 236-9000 x4217.