Shirin Ebadi, an Iranian lawyer and social-justice activist who won the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize, will give a free talk about human rights and freedom of speech at UC Davis on May 17.

Ebadi's lecture, "Human Rights, Democracy and Islam," will begin at 8 p.m. at Mondavi Center. Her speech will be in Farsi, and she will be accompanied by an English interpreter.

"Ms. Ebadi's work on behalf of children's and women's rights, human rights and freedom of expression within Iran shows a singular dedication to building a better society despite the immense political obstacles," said UC Davis Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef.

"UC Davis has been pursuing its goal of reestablishing academic ties, reopening the free exchange of students and scholars and furthering cultural understanding with Ms. Ebadi's country," he said. "We believe her talk will build another bridge between our two peoples."

The lecture has been coordinated by University Outreach and International Programs, the Middle East/South Asia Studies Program, and the School of Law. Anthropology and women and gender studies professor Suad Joseph, who directs the ME/SA program, said UC Davis students will be inspired by Ebadi's lifelong professional activities in Iran.

"Shirin Ebadi was the first Iranian and first Muslim woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize," Joseph said. "She took a brave stand after the Iranian revolution to protest the demotion of female judges and yet continued her work on behalf of freedom of speech and the rights of women and children."

Ebadi's work in public-interest law also sets an example for UC Davis law students, according to Kevin Johnson, the law school's associate dean for academic affairs.

UC Davis has a special interest in building ties to Iran. Last spring, Vanderhoef traveled there, accompanied by Sacramento businessman and UC Davis Foundation board member Mohammad Mohanna and several campus academic leaders.

Calling the trip "a fruitful first step," the UC Davis group has been exploring ways to ease visa restrictions, a program that would permit Iranian students to study the first two years at their home university and the next two years at UC Davis, possible research collaborations and student exchanges, and the creation of an alumni chapter.

UC Davis' interest in promoting cultural understanding with Iran and other countries comes at a time when Ebadi is using her prominence as a Nobel Peace Prize winner to continue championing the rights of refugees, women and children through periodic visits to U.S. universities, where she is reaching out to students and the surrounding communities.

Ebadi received her law degree from University of Tehran in 1969. She was the first woman in the history of Iran to serve as a judge. Ebadi's career on the bench ended soon after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, after which she and other female judges were dismissed from their posts and given clerical duties. She has been imprisoned several times for her work on religious freedom and free speech.

To get free tickets for the talk, visit the Mondavi Center ticket window or http://www.mondaviarts.org. For a $5 service fee, tickets can be obtained by calling (530) 754-2787.