Ernst-Joerg von Studnitz, who served as Germany's ambassador to Russia from 1995 to 2002, will discuss "Russia's Difficult Way Towards Democracy" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, in 203 Meliora Hall on the University of Rochester's River Campus. The talk is free and open to the public.

Von Studnitz studied law at universities in Heidelberg, Berlin, and Kiel, including a year spent as an exchange student at Indiana University School of Law. After receiving his doctorate in law in 1967, von Studnitz joined the German Foreign Office. Besides Russia, he served in Turkey and at the United Nations, and held various posts such as Director for U.S. Affairs and Director for NATO Affairs with the Foreign Office.

Von Studnitz's talk is co-sponsored by the Russian Studies Program and the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures. A reception will follow the lecture.

For more information, contact the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures at (585) 275-4251.