Dukakis attributed low voter turn-out in recent elections to the two parties' abandonment of grassroots organizations.

He also predicted that in the next six weeks, the Democrats will increase their use of grassroots organizations in their campaign.

Most of all, Dukakis urged listeners to get involved in public service.

"The thing that makes public life so exciting is that you can make a difference," he said.

Mimi T. Aye, a student at the business school and the Kennedy school who is on the symposium's organizing committee, said that conference leaders chose Dukakis to start the event because "he represents someone who has run for president before and thus provides unique insight to the presidential election."

The Election 2000 Symposium is sponsored by two groups affiliated with the graduate schools, The Consortium on Global Leadership and Recombyne, a venture capital firm. The program aims to educate voters about the issues in the upcoming presidential election.

Aye said the goal is to "raise awareness about the election, the candidates and the issues at stake."