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“History has not been made by the men who predicted failure, who renounced their dreams, who abandoned their principles, who allowed laziness to stultify their intelligence. Those who at times have fought for human triumphs in solitude have always been accompanied by the spirit of their peoples, by the faith and destiny of many generations.”
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| "Peace has no finishing line." |
PEACEMAKER HERO:
OSCAR ARIAS SANCHEZ
by Ashley from Spokane
Oscar Arias Sanchez was born in 1940 in Herida, Costa Rica. He studied at Boston University for a period of time but then returned to Costa Rica to attend Colegio Saint Frances in San Jose. Arias continued on to the University of Essex where he earned a doctorate in political science. Arias began his political career in the 1970's, first as an assistant to Jose Figueres. Figueres was elected to the presidency in 1972 and Oscar Arias Sanchez was appointed to Minister of National Planning and Political Economy. His political party elected him to International Secretary in 1975, and then to General Secretary in 1979. Oscar Arias Sanchez went on to be elected to the presidency in 1986. He was elected to the presidency a second time in 2006. Arias came into office the first time during the armed conflict that was raging in Central America in the 1980's. In February of 1987, Arias proposed a peace plan for Central America that would set a date for a cease fire, ensure amnesty for political prisoners, and schedule free and democratic elections. The plan, known as the Esquipulas II Accords, or the Procedure to Establish a Firm and Lasting Peace in Central America, was signed by the leaders of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Oscar Arias Sanchez was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in the same year. With the monetary winnings of the prize he founded the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress. This foundation helps to work for equality for women in Central America, to fund change-oriented philanthropy, and to support demilitarization, as well as conflict resolution in developing nations. Within the country of Guatemala, Arias is working hard on reducing poverty, improving the education system, and reducing crime. I have never met Oscar Arias Sanchez, nor have I ever been to Costa Rica. I have, however, traveled to El Salvador and seen the destruction and the pain that was caused by the civil wars in the 1980's. An entire generation in Central America was more or less wiped out by various forces and most family members lost loved ones. The hardest part about the loss was that there were no bodies to bury and no tomb for the families to go and place flowers. I think that any man who works toward peace and who strives to make the world a better place for others is someone that can be considered a hero. Arias helped to stop that pain by bringing the leaders of these countries together and drafting a plan. He has worked throughout his life to bring peace to people around the world through his participation in various organizations, including the one of his own founding.
Another measure of a man is his interaction with other people. Oscar Arias Sanchez has been elected to the presidency for two terms. He has worked hard for his country in the time that he has been in office; however, I have never heard of another president who has spent so much time walking the streets to listen to his people. Arias is known for his interaction with his constituents whether they are at a presidential function, or in the market place buying their dinner. He takes the time to listen. This also shows the trust that he has for his people because he does not fear being attacked or injured while he is walking about town. Oscar Arias Sanchez is an example of a man who works for the good of his neighbors and for his world. Through his work and his life he has exemplified a man who is caring, and compassionate. I have seen the remnants of war and the havoc conflict can produce on the land and to the people that live on it. I know that I don't want to live in a world like that, and that is why I am grateful for the work that Arias has done for humanity. I hope that in some way my life can also exemplify compassion and can bring about peace like Oscar Arias Sanchez.
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Written by
Ashley from Spokane
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The Odyssey Background information Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress The mission of the foundation is to promote more just, peaceful and equitable societies in Central America. The Wharton Global Alumni Forum-Costa Rica Biography of Oscar Arias Sanchez "Peace Has No Finishing Line" Oscar Arias Sanchez' Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech 1987 Oscar Arias Sanchez Winner of Nobel Peace Prize 1987 |
RECOMMENDED
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 Oscar Arias Sanchez: Bringing Peace to Central America by Vicki Cox |
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| Amy Biehl gave her life to ending apartheid in South Africa. | Andrei Sakharov was a Russian Nobel Peace Prize winner devoted to justice and human rights. | Andrew Greene Jr. of Sierra Leone teaches the world about peace. | Archbishop Oscar Romero was a passionate voice of hope, peace and justice in war-torn El Salvador. |
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| Ashoka was a fierce warrior-king who changed his ways and became a beloved peacemaker. | Atsuko Shiwaku set up the International Intercultural Mural Exchange Project to promote peaceful coexistence. | BETTY BIGOMBE was named 'Uganda’s Woman of the Year' in 1994 for her efforts to negotiate peace in Uganda. | Chief Arvol Looking Horse appeals to indigenous voices across the world to bring peace. |
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| Coalition of Women for Peace aims to make women a key part of the peace process in the Middle East. | Corbin Harney has spread a message of peace throughout the world. | Craig Kielburger believes kids can change the world. | Dr. Caldicott has been a lifelong anti-nuclear activist. |
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| Dr. Ed Gragert works towards peace and global education. | Dr. Fareed Zakaria offers the world a rare perspective on East-West relations. | Elie Wiesel wrote the famous Holocaust memoir Night. | Elie Wiesel is a Holocaust survivor and author, whose work spreads a message of peace. |
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| Emily Greene Balch received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946. | Florence Kelley was a faithful fighter for child labor laws, women's rights, and civil rights in the U.S. | Friends Without Borders is building peace through children's heartfelt letters to one another in India and Pakistan. | Gerson Andres Florez Perez was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize at age 16. |
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| Greg Mortenson promotes peace by building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. | Guernica : Picasso's work of art evokes peace worldwide. | Hadraawi, Beloved Peacemaker / Poet of Somalia is a powerful voice for peace in his country. | Hassan 2 was a monarch who worked for peace in the Middle East |
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| Hugo Grotius was a scholar who advocated for peace between nations based on natural law and reason. | Ibrahim Alex Bangura makes music that sends a message of peace and tolerance. | Jason Crowe received the UN's Global Peace & Tolerance Award. | Jehan Sadat is a leader for peace and women's rights in Egypt. |
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| Jimmy Carter has dedicated his life to humanitarian and philanthropic causes. | Jimmy Carter For as long as she can remember, Sherry Lansing has considered President Carter her hero. | John Wallach helps young people learn to make friends of enemies. | Kim Dae-Jung brought democracy and economic stability to South Korea. |
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| Kimmie Weeks survived the war in Liberia and now works to rebuild communities in war-torn countries. | Kofi Annan is an honored freedom and peacemaker hero. | Le Ly Hayslip is a humanitarian, memoirist, and powerful peacemaker. | Loung Ung from Cambodia is a national spokesperson for a landmine-free world. |
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| Lyndon Harris: People Making a Difference founded The Gardens of Forgiveness Project. | Malika Sanders was born into the Civil Rights Movement and continues work today. | Marc Kielburger is a human rights activist who has dedicated his life to helping others. | Martin Luther King, Jr. brought change through non-violence. |
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| Martin Luther King, Jr. was a hero of faith, peace, and tolerance. | Mattie Stepanek is a hero to people of all ages around the world. | Mattie Stepanek: For Our World Mattie’s poems of peace and hope have touched millions of lives | Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat came to be a great advocate for peace. |
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| Mohamed Anwar El Sadat risked his life for peace. | Mohamed ElBaradei is dedicated to ridding the world of nuclear weapons. | Mohandas K. Gandhi used non-violence to free India from British rule. | Muhammad Yunus started a bank for poor people in Bangladesh. |
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| My Hero & Childnet ask "How can we use the Internet as a Tool for Peace and Hope?" | Nickole Evans is using technology for peace. | Oprah was honored by the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity . | Oscar Arias Sanchez won a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to establish peace in Central America. |
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| Peace Children voted overwhelmingly for peace and change. | Peace Palace International Court Of Justice seeks global peace and justice by settling disputes between countries. | Peace Pilgrim walked over 25,000 miles for peace. | PeaceJam Foundation Students from around the world focus on a Global Call to Action for peace on the anniversary of 9/11. |
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| Postpessimists is working for change in the Balkans. | Rigoberta Menchu Tum was the first Guatemalan to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. | Romeo Alain Dallaire is a celebrated humanitarian for his work during the Rwandan genocide. | Ron Kovic has worked for peace for over three decades. |
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| Roshi Bernie Glassman finds peace in using Zen to help others. | Ruty Hotzen inspires students from around the world through Talking Kites, iEARN. | Ryuichi Hirokawa photographer who illuminates the needs of children in crisis. | Sarah Winnemucca was an advocate for Paiute rights and the first Native American woman to publish a book. |
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| The Art Miles Mural Project teaches respect and understanding through art. | The Everest Peace Project promotes peace, teamwork, and cultural understanding. | Theodore Roosevelt won the Nobel Prize for Peace for brokering a treaty between Japan and Russia. | UWC Initiative for Peace brings together teens from India and Pakistan to discuss nuclear disarmament. |
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| Winston Churchill was one of the first to recognize and warn others of Hitler's danger to freedom and human rights. | Yitzhak Rabin made peace a priority as the leader of Israel. |
Last changed on:9/16/2009
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