Editing University for Peace

{{Short description|University and international organization}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = University for Peace
 | image                  = Universidad para la Paz.svg
 | image_upright          = 0.7
 | native_name            = Universidad para la Paz
 | other_name             = UPEACE (English)<br>UPAZ (Spanish)
 | motto                  = Si quieres la paz, trabaja por la paz
 | motto_lang             = es
 | mottoeng               = If you want peace, work for peace.
 | established            = {{start date|1980}}
 | type                   = [[United Nations]]-established [[graduate school|graduate university]]
 | rector                 = [[Francisco Rojas Aravena]]
 | dean                   = Juan Carlos Sainz-Borgo
 | students               = 196 (2018–19)
 | address                = Calle Universidad
 | city                   = [[El Rodeo de Mora]]
 | province               = [[San José Province|San José]]
 | country                = Costa Rica
 | coordinates            = {{coord|9|55|10|N|84|16|22|W|region:CR_type:edu_source:kolossus-jawiki|display=title,inline}}
 | campus                 = Campus in nature (includes a protected forest reserve)
 | language               = [[English language|English]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]]
 | website                = {{URL|https://upeace.org/}}
 | native_name_lang       = es
 | founder                = [[Rodrigo Carazo Odio]]
 | accreditation          = [[SINAES]]
 | logo                   = University for Peace logo.png
 | logo_upright           = 1.1
}}
[[Image:UPEACE-view.jpg|right|thumb|View of Costa Rica Campus]]

The '''University for Peace''' ('''UPEACE''') is an [[international university|international]] [[university]] and [[intergovernmental organization]] established as a treaty organisation by the [[United Nations General Assembly]] in 1980.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Charter of the University for Peace annexed to the International Agreement Establishing the University for Peace |url=http://www.upeace.org/pdf/charter.pdf}}</ref> The university offers postgraduate, doctoral, and [[Executive education|executive]]<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Institute |first=Amani |date=2016-08-31 |title=Amani Institute partners with the United Nations mandated University for Peace |url=https://amaniinstitute.org/amani-institute-partners-with-the-united-nations-mandated-university-for-peace/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=Amani Institute}}</ref> programmes related to the study of [[Peace and conflict studies|peace and conflict]], [[Sustainable development|environment and development]], and [[international law]].

The headquarters of the University for Peace are located in a natural area near [[Ciudad Colón]], [[Costa Rica]]. However, the university also has a presence in other countries, notably Somalia<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us - Institute for Peace, Security & Development (IPSED) |url=https://ipsed.org/about-us/ |access-date=2022-10-01 |language=en-US}}</ref> and the Netherlands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Upeace The Hague - Welcome |url=https://www.upeace.nl/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=www.upeace.nl |language=NL}}</ref>

The charter of the University for Peace, adopted by the General Assembly in resolution 35/55 in 1980, defines the mission of the university as follows: <blockquote>"to provide humanity with an international institution of [[higher education]] for peace with the aim of promoting among all human beings the spirit of understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, to stimulate cooperation among peoples and to help [[conflict resolution|lessen obstacles and threats]] to [[world peace]] and progress, in keeping with the noble aspirations proclaimed in the [[Charter of the United Nations]]."<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>The organization has [[United Nations General Assembly observers|observer status]] in the [[United Nations General Assembly|UN General Assembly]] and maintains a permanent office at the [[Headquarters of the United Nations|UN headquarters]] in New York.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nations |first=United |title=Intergovernmental and Other Organizations |url=https://www.un.org/en/about-us/intergovernmental-and-other-organizations |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=United Nations |language=en}}</ref>

== History and relationship with United Nations ==
[[File:UPEACE-campus.jpg|250px|thumb|UPEACE Rodrigo Carazo Campus, Costa Rica|alt=]]

The University for Peace was set in motion by a treaty endorsed by resolution 34/111 of 14 December 1979 of the [[United Nations General Assembly]]. This resolution also established an international commission which, in collaboration with the government of Costa Rica, was requested to prepare the proposed university's organization and structure -- setting in motion the creation of the University for Peace. Thereafter, by Resolution 35/55 of 5 December 1980,<ref>{{cite web |title=UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/35/55 on the Establishment of UPEACE |url=http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/35/55 |website=United Nations Official Document |publisher=United Nations}}</ref> the UN General Assembly endorsed the treaty establishing the University for Peace by adopting the International Agreement for the Establishment of the University for Peace along with the Charter of the University for Peace.<ref name=":0" />d 

In 1999, Secretary-General [[Kofi Annan]] took further steps to revitalize the University for Peace by changing its focus from that of a local and regional institution to a more globally-focussed perspective. Accompanying this change in focus was a change of the university's working language, from Spanish to English, and launch of its African program.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sainz |first1=Juan |title=Overview of the University for Peace |url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=808768699770288 |website=Preamble to Conversation with Ambassador Jacquelin O'Neill (Canada) |publisher=Facebook Live |access-date=28 June 2024}}</ref>

The University for Peace is part of the academic wing of the UN system, and has observer status at the UN General Assembly,<ref>See "Other Resources" at {{cite web|title=UN Bodies |url=https://www.un.org/en/peace/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112174113/https://www.un.org/en/peace/ |archive-date=12 January 2012 |publisher=United Nations |access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Observer status for the University for Peace in the General Assembly : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly | date=15 January 2009 |url=https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/643196?ln=en |publisher=United Nations Digital Library |access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref> while maintaining its [[academic freedom|independence in academic]], financial and management matters. The [[UN secretary-general|UN Secretary-General]] is the honorary president of UPEACE. As the university is mandated by the General Assembly, the UN Secretary-General reports periodically on the activities of the University for Peace.<ref>{{cite web|title=UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/64/83|url=http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N09/466/81/PDF/N0946681.pdf?OpenElement|publisher=United Nations}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Report of the UN Secretary General on the University for Peace, A/64/281, dated 11 August 2009.|url=http://www.upeace.org/PDF/SG%27s%20Report%20-%202009%20%28English%29.pdf|access-date=3 September 2012|archive-date=11 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011234537/http://www.upeace.org/PDF/SG%27s%20Report%20-%202009%20%28English%29.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The main body of governance of the university is the Council of the University for Peace. It is composed of 17 members, ten of which are appointed by the Secretary-General of the UN and the Director-General of [[UNESCO]], two nominated by the [[Politics of Costa Rica|government of Costa Rica]], and others being high-level staff of the University for Peace, the [[United Nations University]], and the United Nations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=University for Peace |url=https://www.upeace.org/pages/upeace-council |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=www.upeace.org}}</ref>

== Headquarters and main campus ==

The main campus of the university - the [[Rodrigo Carazo Odio|Rodrigo Carazo]] Campus - is located 30 km south-west of San José, Costa Rica. Most master's and doctoral programmes are administered from this location. The university has a mix of both resident and visiting faculty members. 

The closest town to the mountain on which the university is perched is [[Ciudad Colon|Ciudad Colón]], which is where most of the students, staff, and faculty members of the university reside.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ciudad Colón, Costa Rica - City Guide |url=https://www.govisitcostarica.com/region/city.asp?cID=227 |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=Go Visit Costa Rica |language=en}}</ref>

=== Earth Charter Initiative ===
The main campus of the University for Peace hosts the International Secretariat of the [[Earth Charter Initiative]], whose stated mission is "to promote the transition to sustainable ways of living and a global society founded on a shared ethical framework that includes respect and care for the community of life, ecological integrity, [[universality (philosophy)|universal]] human rights, respect for diversity, [[economic justice]], [[democracy]], and a culture of peace." This mission is carried out using the [[The Earth Charter|Earth Charter]] as the principal guiding framework.  

In 2012, the Earth Charter Initiative and the University for Peace were jointly awarded the UNESCO Chair on Education for Sustainable Development and the Earth Charter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Corporate Sustainability Reporting Project Description on the Earth Charter Center on Education For Sustainable Development |url=https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/corporate-sustainability-reporting |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs}}</ref> The work related to this UNESCO chair is carried out at the 'Earth Charter Center for Education for Sustainable Development',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.edu.int/edu-news/earth-charter-center-for-education-for-sustainable-development-upeace-renews-edu-accreditation | title=Center for Education for Sustainable Development (UPEACE) renews EDU Accreditation }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=A Short History of the Earth Charter Initiative |url=http://www.earthcharterchina.org/eng/history2.html |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=www.earthcharterchina.org}}</ref> which opened at the UPEACE main campus in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2014 |title=Earth Charter International: Inauguration and International Conference |url=https://earthcharter.org/earth-charter-international-inauguration-and-international-conference/ |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=Earth Charter International}}</ref>[[File:Peace Park.jpg|thumb|Peace Park at the University for Peace]]

=== Peace Park and nature reserve ===
The campus is surrounded by a natural reserve (Peace Park) composed of a secondary forest and the last remnant of primary forest (200 ha) in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. It shelters mammals such as monkeys and deer, reptiles, and over 300 species of birds, as well as approximately 100 varieties of trees. The university's installations and protected area make up 303 ha. The park contains several hiking trails and monuments to peacebuilders.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Times |first=The Tico |date=2016-07-25 |title=University for Peace brings a global community to Ciudad Colón |url=https://ticotimes.net/2016/07/25/university-peace |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=The Tico Times {{!}} Costa Rica News {{!}} Travel {{!}} Real Estate |language=en-US}}</ref>

== International activities ==

In addition to the activities at the Costa Rica campus, the University for Peace has several international offices and partners.

=== Africa ===
The University for Peace established its Africa program in 2002. The programme aims to stimulate and strengthen the capacities in Africa to teach, train and conduct research in areas of peace and conflict studies. As part of the programme, the university has established capacity-building agreements with 27 institutions in Africa, mainly universities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UPEACE- IPSED launches a New MA and PhD Programmes in the Puntland State of Somalia. - Institute for Peace, Security & Development (IPSED) |url=https://ipsed.org/upeace-ipsed-launches-a-new-ma-and-phd-programmes-in-the-puntland-state-of-somalia/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The first five years of the program focused on the development of curricula and teaching materials and the delivery of a range of short courses, workshops, conferences and seminars in various parts of Africa. Within this period, the program attracted close to one thousand participants from academia, policy-makers and civil society organizations.

Since 2007, the Africa programme has worked with a number of partner universities to develop master's degree programs to be based at African universities. The principal aim of this endeavour is to further strengthen the African capacity and build a wide expertise for a better understanding of conflicts in Africa, their prevention and the creation of the environment favourable to lasting peace and development in the region.

In partnership with the Institute for Peace, Security and Development, UPEACE offers master's and PhD programmes related to the university's academic profile in Somalia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UPEACE- IPSED launches a New MA and PhD Programmes in the Puntland State of Somalia. - Institute for Peace, Security & Development (IPSED) |url=https://ipsed.org/upeace-ipsed-launches-a-new-ma-and-phd-programmes-in-the-puntland-state-of-somalia/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2022, 166 students graduated from the Somalia programme.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=More than 100 Somali students graduate from University for Peace, including country's president {{!}} Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs |url=https://dppa.un.org/en/more-100-somali-students-graduate-university-peace-including-countrys-president |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=dppa.un.org}}</ref> The incumbent president of the Somalia, [[Hassan Sheikh Mohamud]], defended his Ph.D. thesis at the University for Peace.<ref name=":1" /> The university announced its intention to start a Ph.D. scholarship programme named after Hassan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aweys |first=Khadar |date=2023-05-28 |title=Historic agreement signed for presidential PhD Scholarship in Somalia |url=https://sonna.so/en/historic-agreement-signed-for-presidential-phd-scholarship-in-somalia/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Somali National News Agency |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Europe ===
In January 2012, UPEACE opened a centre in [[The Hague]], Netherlands, which is housed at the Academy Building of the [[Peace Palace]]. It promotes the activities of the university in Europe and works on education and research in peace studies, cooperating with academic and policy-oriented institutions in The Hague region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Upeace The Hague - UPEACE Centre The Hague |url=https://www.upeace.nl/index.php?page=who-we-are&pid=286 |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=www.upeace.nl |language=NL}}</ref> 

The Geneva Office of the University for Peace was established in 2001. The focus of  the Geneva office is to contribute to the development of programmatic activities of the university in Africa and the Middle East, engaging with the academic community in Geneva, and facilitation of institutional relations within Europe and with the United Nations system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=University for Peace {{!}} The United Nations Office at Geneva |url=https://www.ungeneva.org/en/blue-book/missions/intergovernmental/university-peace |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=www.ungeneva.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== Asia ===
Until 2023, the University for Peace jointly organised the Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship Programme (APS) with the [[Nippon Foundation]] and [[Ateneo de Manila University]]. APS graduates obtained a Master of Arts degree from the University for Peace and a master's degree in Transdisciplinary Social Development from Ateneo de Manila University.<ref>{{Cite web |title=University for Peace |url=https://www.upeace.org/departments/asian-peacebuilders-scholarships |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=www.upeace.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship {{!}} Ateneo Global |url=https://global.ateneo.edu/dual-degree |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=global.ateneo.edu}}</ref>
== Academics ==
The University for Peace offers graduate, doctoral, and executive programmes in the areas of peace, environment and international law. The educational and research activities are organised in four departments: international law, peace and conflict studies, environment and development, and regional studies. The latter department offers education in Spanish rather than English. In addition to its own programmes, the university offers joint programmes with [[American University]], [[IHE Delft Institute for Water Education]], [[Pace University]], [[United Nations Institute for Training and Research|UNITAR]], [[Ateneo de Manila University]] and several other organisations.  

===Department of International Law===
*MA in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes
*MA in International Law and Human Rights ''(available in both English and in Spanish)''
*MA in International Law and Diplomacy

=== Department of Peace and Conflict Studies ===
*MA in Conflict Resolution, Peace and Development ''(taught in Spanish)''
*MA in Gender and Peacebuilding
*MA in Indigenous Science and Peace Studies
*MA in International Peace Studies
*MA in Peace Education
*MA in Religion, Culture and Peace Studies
*MA in Sustainable Peace in the Contemporary World ''(online)''

=== Department of Environment and Development ===
*MA in Environment, Development and Peace ''(available in both English and in Spanish)''
*MA in Responsible Management and Sustainable Economic Development
*MSc in Ecology and Society

=== Department of Regional Studies ===

* MA in Derecho Internacional de los Derechos Humanos
* MA in Resolución de Conflictos, Paz y Desarollo
* MA in Ambiente, Desarrollo y Paz

===Dual and joint masters degrees===
*Conflict Resolution & Coexistence and International Law & Human Rights (dual MA with [[Brandeis University]], US)
*Cybercrime, Cybersecurity and International Law (joint LL.M. with [[United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute]], Turin, Italy)
*Development Studies and Diplomacy (joint MA with [[United Nations Institute for Training and Research|UNITAR]])
*Environmental Law  and International Law & Human Rights (LLM/MA with [[Pace University]])
*Human Rights and a Culture for Peace (joint MA with [[Pontifical Xavierian University]], Colombia)
*International Law and Human Rights (dual MA with [[Hankuk University of Foreign Studies]], Seoul, Korea)
*Media, Peace and Conflict Studies (dual MA with Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul, Korea)
*Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (dual MA with [[American University]], Washington DC, USA)<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |title=International Affairs: Natural Resources & Sustainable Development |url=https://www.american.edu/sis/nrsd/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=American University |language=en}}</ref>
*Sustainable Development (dual MA with Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul, Korea)
*Transnational Crime and Justice (joint LL.M. with [[United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute]], Turin, Italy)
*Water Cooperation and Diplomacy (triple MA/MSc/MS with [[IHE Delft Institute for Water Education]], The Netherlands and [[Oregon State University]], USA)

===Doctoral program===
The University for Peace has a doctoral programme in peace and conflict studies since 2012. The programme offers a research track and a professional track.<ref>{{cite web|title=UPEACE Doctoral Programme in Peace and Conflict Studies|url=http://www.upeace.org/academic/doctorate/|publisher=University for Peace}}</ref>  

=== Accreditation ===

The university has been a member organisation of the Costa Rican accreditation organisation [[SINAES (Costa Rica)|SINAES]] since 2008.<ref name=":2" /> SINAES has evaluated and accredited the larger graduate programmes at the university,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Universidad para la Paz |url=https://www.sinaes.ac.cr/universidades/universidad-para-la-paz/ |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=SINAES |language=es}}</ref> while its other programmes are in the process of accreditation.

Additionally, degrees awarded by the university are recognized under international law, as the Charter of the University for Peace gives the authority to "grant master's degrees and doctorates". As the resolution to establish the University for Peace was taken by consensus in the General Assembly, the authorisation to award degrees is in theory legally valid in all countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About University for Peace Accreditation |url=https://www.upeace.org/pages/accreditation |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=University for Peace (upeace.org)}}</ref>

University for Peace degrees are verified by the [[International Association of Universities|International Association of Universities/UNESCO]].

== Human rights outreach ==

The University for Peace has also established the UPEACE Human Rights Centre which was created within the contours of the broader mission of the university. The work of the UPEACE Human Rights Centre seeks to promote understanding, respect and enjoyment of [[universal human rights]]. The centre carries out this objective through human rights education, training, research, capacity building, and awareness-raising activities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UPeace Human Rights Centre – University for Peace Human Rights Centre |url=https://hrc.upeace.org/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The University for Peace hosts the Office of Free Legal Assistance for Journalists in Costa Rica. In 2023, the office presented a critical report about the access to information and media during the 2022 elections.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Álvarez |first=Mariana |date=11 April 2023 |title=Report in Costa Rica highlights risks to press freedom and access to information during the 2022 general elections |work=UNESCO |url=https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/report-costa-rica-highlights-risks-press-freedom-and-access-information-during-2022-general}}</ref>

== Notable staff ==

* [[:es:Francisco_Rojas_Aravena|Francisco Rojas Aravena]], Chilean academic and rector
* [[Mihir Kanade]], Indian academic and Chair-Rapporteur of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Right to Development

== Notable alumni ==
* [[Kirthi Jayakumar]], Indian peace educator, feminist activist and writer
* [[Rosebell Kagumire]], Ugandan journalist
* [[Mihir Kanade]], Chair-Rapporteur of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the [[Right to development|Right to Development]] and Professor at the University for Peace (Ph.D.)
* [[Guled Salah Barre]], Somali politician (Ph.D.)
* [[Nick Martin (educator)|Nick Martin]], American technologist, entrepreneur, and educator and founder of [[TechChange]].
* [[Abdirisak Omar Mohamed|Abdirizak Omar Mohamed]], Somali politician (Ph.D.)
* [[Hassan Sheikh Mohamud]], President of Somalia (Ph.D.)
* [[Anat Nir]], Israeli businessperson and LGBT rights activist
* [[Mercedes Peñas Domingo|María Mercedes Peñas Domingo]], Spanish-Costa Rican political scientist
* [[:es:José Antonio Sanahuja|José Antonio Sanahuja]], Professor of International Relations at Complutense University of Madrid
* [[Billene Seyoum]], Ethiopian politician, poet, author and feminist

== See also ==
{{Portal|Politics|Costa Rica}}
{{col div|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Peace and conflict studies]]
* [[United Nations University]]
* [[Earth Charter Initiative]]
* [[UNESCO]]
* [[United Nations]]
* [[The U.S. Association for the University for Peace]]
* [[United Nations Institute for Training and Research]]{{colend}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==

* {{official|https://www.upeace.org}}

{{Commons category}}

{{United Nations|state=collapsed}}
{{Anti-war}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:University For Peace}}
[[Category:Schools of international relations]]
[[Category:Peace and conflict studies]]
[[Category:Universities in Costa Rica]]
[[Category:Intergovernmental universities]]
[[Category:Peace education]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1980]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in San José Province]]
[[Category:Organizations established by the United Nations]]
[[Category:Universities created by intergovernmental organizations]]
[[Category:Research institutes in the United Nations System]]
[[Category:Education in Costa Rica]]