The University of South Carolina, College of Criminal Justice has one of the nation's best criminal justice programs, drawing on the resources of local and state law enforcement agencies across South Carolina. Similarly, the Volgograd Law Institute is one of Russia's premier Ministry of Internal Affairs criminal investigator schools, training investigators from over 60 Russian regions. The partnership between these two institutions directly benefits students of criminal justice, the future leaders in law enforcement in the United States and Russia.
VLI Cadets visit South Carolina - March 18-April 2, 2000
 The University of South Carolina, College of Criminal Justice hosted a delegation of 10 cadets and 2 faculty members from the Volgograd Law Institute in the 2000 Project Harmony Criminal Justice Partnership Program. The program consisted of lectures on the American legal system, including criminal investigation techniques, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights and the structure of American law enforcement. Classroom lectures were supported by site-visits to municipal and state police agencies in the greater Columbia area. One program highlight was a visit by President Bill Clinton to Columbia. Russian cadets and faculty were able to meet the president and see first-hand how all the police agencies, including federal officers, work together to provide public safety services during a presidential visit.
Cadets and faculty lived with host families in Columbia, providing a unique window on American life, especially life of police families. Project Harmony would like to thank Rob Rinker and Danny Baker at the College of Criminal Justice for successfully running the Criminal Justice Exchange Program, as well as the host families and host departments in Columbia for their generosity of time and international law enforcement spirit.
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| | | | | | | March 18
Arrival in South Carolina |
March 19
Free time with host families | March 20
Program orientation, city and campus tours | March 21
Seminar on US criminal justice systems, visit to police academy | March 22
Seminar on crime prevention strategies | March 23
Seminar on forensic anthropology | March 24
Site visit at county sheriff's dept and tour of facilities | March 25
Cultural program in Charleston |
March 26
Free day with host families | March 27
Visit to special forces, SWAT and K-9 | March 28
Criminal investigations and patrol ride-alongs | March 29
Seminar on court systems and visit to advocacy center | March 30
Seminar on correctional systems and visit to dept of corrections | March 31
Closing ceremony | April 1
Depart South Carolina for New York City |
April 2
Tour of NYC and departure for Russia | | | | | | |
USC Students visit Volgograd, Russia - May 11-28, 2000
 A delegation of 10 criminal justice students and faculty traveled to Volgograd, Russia for a study abroad program on the Russian criminal justice system and culture of the Volgo-Don region in southern Russia.
Program highlights include meeting with cadets at the Volgograd Law Institute and local Police Academy, participation in a District Court trial and meeting with District Court Judge and District Attorney, visit to Traffic Police headquarters, and tour of Oblast UVD forensic science lab with K-9 demonstration. In addition to a rigorous academic schedule, American students participated in cultural activities including a visit to a Cossack village, boat tour on the Don and Volga Rivers and traditional folk music and dancing with the Volgograd Conservatory Folk Ensemble. Participants stayed in host families, providing a complete view of Russian student life.
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
May 14
Arrival in Volgograd - meet host families | May 15
Orientation, tour of institute, seminar on Russian legal system | May 16
Seminar on history of Russian law, museum visit | May 17
Site visit to Dept. of Forensic Science; evening Soccer match | May 18
Seminar on Rights and responsibilities of the Russian Militia | May 19
Seminar on System of Russian Criminal Law | May 20
Cultural program day |
May 21
Free time with host families | May 22
Seminar on Russian Criminal Process | May 23
Seminar on Teaching Investigation Skills; visit to VUVD | May 24
Seminar on corrections and visit to Penal Colony #9 | May 25
Visit to Kalachna-on -the-Don | May 26
Time with host families; Departure for Moscow | |
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