Nobel Peace Prize winners Shirin Ebadi, Jody Williams and Rigoberta Menchú Tum will discuss The Role of Governments in Achieving or Obstructing Worldwide Peace during a free public symposium at Wayne State University, 5 p.m. Friday, May 5. Nobel Peace Laureate Betty Williams will appear in a video presentation. Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura D. Corrigan will introduce the laureates, and a panel discussion with Sen. Carl Levin will follow the presentations.

The event will be held in the university’s General Lectures Auditorium, 5045 Anthony Wayne Drive. Seating is limited and reservations should be requested by May 1. Send e-mail to ses@lists.wayne.edu or call (313) 577-0300. For more information, call 248-643-6167.

Ebadi, of Iran, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for her advocacy of democracy and human rights, focusing especially on the struggle for the rights of women and children.

Tum, of Guatemala, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992 for her work for social justice and ethno-cultural reconciliation based on respect for the rights of indigenous peoples.

Jody Williams, of the United States, shared the Peace Prize in 1997 with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which she coordinates, for their work in banning and clearing anti-personnel mines.

Betty Williams, of the United Kingdom, shared the Peace Prize in 1976 with Mairead Corrigan for co-founding the Northern Ireland Peace Movement (later renamed Community of Peace People).

The event is co-sponsored by the Wayne State University Honors Program, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary; the Shirin Ebadi Foundation; DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund; and Ilitch Holdings.