Costa Rica, as an independent nation, has never known slavery. A country where compulsory basic education was established in 1869. A country where capital punishment was abolished in 1882. Costa Rica abolished its army as an institution in 1949. And, in 1983 the government declared our nation a neutral, and unarmed state, a move that contributed to the peace process in Central America.

Conflict will always arise among people. What we must learn is how to deal with that conflict without resorting to violence.

At this beginning of the twenty-first century, we are being called upon to face the needs of humanity, in all its tragic urgency. And we must, at the same time, face up to the requirements of the species: this century shall be peaceful or shall not be at all.

Rodrigo Carazo
President of Costa Rica
1978-1982
Honorary Founder of A World Without Armies