well but there is an element that is not helping anyone, reports Jarion Richardson. Minister Lister set out his political and personal views on Bermuda's most precious resource -- the youth.

Young Observer asked the Minister, for all the bad news about youth, to explain how he saw things from his seat as the man accountable for Bermuda's future.

"I think that the majority of our young people have got their heads' on straight and make a contribution to Bermuda,'' he began.

"But we can get caught up in the negative sometimes. I have three sons and we (Mr. Lister and his wife) include them in a wholesome atmosphere but also include them in the reality.

"We don't shun from the issues of life. We give them exposure to life by involving them with things we do and getting involved with what they do.'' Mr. Lister said the community centres are a good resource to Bermuda's youth.

"We refer to them as community centres rather than youth centres because we want to see a mix. Both elders and youth have something to learn from each other.

"The experience seniors bring to the table is invaluable and they can learn some things from the youth.

"We tend to forget some of the young people's experiences and young people seem to think life is recreating the wheel. Through the youth we can keep abreast of the changing times.'' Before Minister Lister entered politics, he was a grocer in Sandys near Somerset Cricket Club and as a local merchant, he said, he got to know the community.

In one encounter with youth, he said: "They were talking about how they seem to get a negative response from the older groups of the community.'' Mr. Lister explained elders said they did not trust the youth that hung around a certain area.

"I turned it around and said What if that was your granny and these are your friends? You need to merge that.'' He continued: "The young men weren't up to no-good. That was just where they met before going off to play football.'' Mr. Lister recommended taking one friend at-a-time around the home and in that, two different worlds merged.

The Minister said it would create a more amicable environment. When the elders' would walk past the area, both groups would know each other and the friend's would give the elders' respect.

"As adults, we tend to isolate ourselves. For the betterment of the young people, we have to make sure we play a positive role in their lives,'' he said.

He said there are many activities and events the youth can become involved with to learn more.

"I hold with a lot of regard the Youth Parliament. It helps the youth get the opportunity to see how the Parliament is run.'' "They pick the topic for debate and anything that's relevant to themselves. I trust that its a real eye opener for the future.

"It's a group of mix of young people from different exposures -- a good mix of life.

"It's an interest that's shown by the young people to get involved. I think of other programmes that aren't necessarily run by this Ministry -- that is ran by volunteers.'' He listed Girl Guides, Cub Scouts and the Sea Cadet Corps among others.

"I can remember when those types of activities were a strong influence and I would like to encourage parents to take part in those activities. These still offer a lot. A lot of work is being done through those types of programmes.'' But generational gaps cannot be easily erased.

"I am sure one generation thinks they can see different behavioural patterns and wonder where people are going in saying `our generation didn't behave that way'.

"But at the same time, how do we understand that change in behaviour? Do we accept it and write it off? Or do we accept things are changing because a lot of it winds up being growing pains.

Mr. Lister warned growing pains can quickly become something worse if not probably addressed by responsible adults.

He said one avenue the youth can channel `growing pains' is in Bermuda's sports world, also under his Ministry.

"I'm extremely pleased with some of the results we see in our young athletes.

"When I go around and mingle, you find some athletes who are not only gifted but committed and I'm pleased with that.

"I want to encourage more of our young people to get involved in sports. It develops confidence, they learn about setting goals and that's all positive developments young people can use.

"But we do have pockets that we are concerned about. Seriously concerned, we would rather win than lose because everyone we lose -- it has an impact on our future.'' Progress report: Youth and sport Minister Dennis Lister speaks on young people.