The fourth international African Diaspora Heritage Trail conference will be officially opened by its host, Premier Ewart Brown, tomorrow.

Hollywood actor Danny Glover and Bermuda's Permanent Secretary of Education Radell Tankard are the co-chairs of the event which will see renowned scholars and high-ranking government officials discuss economic and cultural issues within African diaspora countries.

The African Diaspora Heritage Trail is a transnational tourism initiative committed to developing heritage destinations that convey the stories of the peoples of Africa and the diaspora through their own artistic expressions, written and oral histories.

It was the brainchild of Bermuda's former Minister of Tourism David Allen, and under the leadership of Dr. Brown, the ADHT Bermuda Trail has been officially designated as a UNESCO Slave Route Project.

Last year's conference in the Bahamas attracted people from 28 countries.

On the agenda this year are presentations and discussions on topics including folklore, historical preservation, race relations and the role of government in relation to the diaspora.

Attendees will include the Bahamian Minister of Tourism and Aviation Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace — whose home country was the second to brand an official trail — Shirley Franklin, the Mayor of Atlanta, and former Mayor of Atlanta and civil rights activist Andrew Young.

Events kicking off the conference today include a tour of the Bermuda African Diaspora Heritage Trail, films of the African diaspora, and educational lectures.

Tomorrow's official opening at the Fairmont Southampton resort features a welcome brunch for delegates, and will be attended by Bermuda's Governor, Sir Richard Gozney. The conference closes on Wednesday.