32 Russian Legislators Arrive At Kennedy School

Last night 32 representatives from the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament arrived in Cambridge to take part in a 10-day program at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

"We hope to help provide a taste of life in America and most importantly to contribute to the larger effort of building a reasonable relationship between the United States and Russia," said Robert D. Blackwill faculty chair of the program and a lecturer in public policy at the Kennedy School.

This is the second year Duma members have visited the Kennedy School to discuss the roles and responsibilities of national legislatures in democracies with American political experts.

Last year marked the program's inauguration and officials say they hope this year will be a continuation of last year's curriculum.

Harvard faculty and several outside political experts will attend classes with the Duma members to encourage greater cross cultural cooperation and appreciation.

Classes will be interspersed with guest lecturers, such as former Massachusetts Governor Michael S. Dukakis and Program Chair Mickey Edwards.

The program also includes a visit with Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, a statehouse reception hosted by House Speaker Charles Flaherty and maybe even a Red Sox game.

The program will run through July 29.

Representatives from each major political Russian faction are expected to discuss issues such as elective politics, party politics separation of powers, foreign and defense policies and international trade.

The program "is increasingly important as U.S.-Russian relations are clearly in a difficult phase," Blackwill said.

"We look forward to exchanging views with our Russian guests in hopes that this program will increase understanding on the part of both the Russian politicians and the Americans that interact with them."

The program is funded by the Carnegie Corporation.

Last year's program at the Kennedy School was hailed as a success, drawing media attention from across the U.S.