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University
of Peace in Costa
Rica Education
and Research for a New Millennium of Peace As an initiative of
then President Rodrigo Carazo of Costa Rica, the General Assembly of the United
Nations created UPEACE on December 5, 1980, resolution 35/55. One
of the most visionary projects conceived on the eve of the third millennium, by
1982 the headquarters was established in Costa Rica, a country that abolished
its army over fifty years ago and has a long tradition of democracy and peace.
The campus is designed to be in harmony with the beautiful, natural environment
in which it is located on the outskirts of San José, Costa Rica's capital.
The
grounds of UPEACE, an expansive 303 hectares (757 acres) including a sizable
portion of primary forest, are a veritable ecological laboratory. The land was
donated by conservationist Cruz Rojas Bennett to the Costa Rican government
based on a commitment to pass his gift on to UPEACE and to use this environment
for education, quiet recreation and research. UPEACE has helped enrich the area
by planting more than 100,000 trees and initiating a botanical garden. In the early
1999, as part of his continuing program of reform, UN Secretary-General Kofi
Annan, with the advice of the Director General of UNESCO and the support of the
Costa Rican government, took steps to strengthen and fully internationalize
UPEACE. This will enable the University to contribute more effectively to the
peace and security role of the UN and fulfill the goals of its charter.
The
world need a strong institution to bring peace into education. They have
formed partnership with the American World University in Washington D.C. for
long distance learning purposes. The First Week
Foundation would like to contribute through: -
be a substantial funding
partner Link to UPEACE
Project Manager:
Steinar Dalen Updated details will
be ready early 2001 |
