Ajit Singh,
International Law and the Settlement of Disputes

Studying at the University for Peace has been an incredible venture. From the classroom to the board room, to the dance floor, there is no other place I would rather be studying than UPEACE. There is never a shortage of student, faculty or staff enthusiasm to explore new ideas, be innovative, and do it with a positive attitude. From our stressful (yet extremely fun!) organization of Asia Fest, our laborious (yet rewarding!) organization of UPMUNC, our wild parties (in some of which I somehow managed to lose my shirt!), my memories of UPEACE will always be fresh in my mind. Studying in the International Law department I could not have asked for a more committed, knowledgeable, and approachable faculty. Visiting professors had me in awe with their experience as well as their expertise, something I could never get studying back in Canada or India. And my fellow colleagues always challenge my intellect to new heights. Being elected to represent my colleagues on the Student Faculty Staff Committee has been honoring, challenging, and rewarding. The UPEACE community itself will be what I will remember most about the University. Within it is the most beautiful sense of hope. The hope that springs from a “clash of civilizations” that Samuel Huntington wrote about, only with a different outcome. Being in classes where heated debates and clashes of ideologies occur on everything, including religion, culture, race, ethnicity, and gender. These clashes take place between different nationalities, ethnicities, religions, cultures, and genders. But at the end of class, our “clash of civilizations” meets a constructive, peaceful, and positive conclusion. If this “clash of civilizations” cannot meet a positive end here at UPEACE, where can it in a pessimistic, cold, and unforgiving world? The UPEACE community is the hope for peace, the hope for the future, that the world

Mohammad Abul Kalamazad,
Peace Education Programme

A few weeks ago, several of us from the Peace Education program - Azad, Geoff, Nick, Koe, Zahid, Laurel, Julie, and Soon Jung along with our two staff ProfessorsAbelardo Brenes and Maribel Munoz from Peace Education - went to La Carpio, a large, very poor Nicaraguan community in Costa Rica. We had the opportunity to listen to the second vice- presidential candidate, Dr. Kevin Casas, give a press-conference to the media and to CODECA leaders who work for the rights of La Carpio people. The discussion was very interesting, because people wanted to have a written commitment from the vice president detailing what he will do once elected. The concern was that the government would not honour its commitments to the people of La Carpio, and for this reason, UPEACE had a cameraperson on site to record the event. The problem was that Dr. Casas was not able to commit fully in the way that was expected, and this resulted in some disappointment on the part of CODECA members. He mentioned different plans of their government - like building a school and checking into the land titles of La

Carpio - but was not willing to commit to anything on paper. CODECA representatives informed him that they need food and housing, things that were more essential for them than education. On Sunday, we were taken on a tour of polling stations in Cartago and Turrialba. We finished the day with a visit to the Children’s Museum, where they were carrying out a mock poll for kids. They had an excellent turnout, with up to a thousand children waiting in line to cast their vote, just as their parents did at their own polling stations.

Students at the Presidential Elections: A Unique Experience

The weekend of February 3-5th IPS students Joe Brothers, Nicholas Eliades, Jamie Hess, Rachel Kutzley, and Paul Rushton represented UPEACE as International Elections Monitors for the Costa Rican elections. On Friday morning, we heard academic speakers present on Costa Rica’s history, politics, and electoral process. Friday afternoon and Saturday each of the candidates addressed the group and answered questions, a few posed by the UPEACE students. Our active participation in the weekend even landed us a few television appearances and radio interviews!

On Sunday, we were taken on a tour of polling stations in Cartago and Turrialba. We finished the day with a visit to the Children’s Museum, where they were carrying out a mock poll for kids. They had an excellent turnout, with up to a thousand children waiting in line to cast their vote, just as their parents did at their own polling stations.

In all, we are happy to report that voting in Costa Rica was systematic, transparent, and enthusiastic. The only complaint we heard from the candidates was that throughout the campaign process the larger parties were able to dominate the media, and because of this propaganda sometimes replaced real debate about ideas. However, we heard no complaints about the voting process itself, and were quite impressed with how smoothly election day proceeded and how thoroughly the Supreme Electoral Tribunal organized the entire process.

This was a great learning experience for the students. We saw perhaps a model election and gained experience as elections monitors, skills we hope to apply in the future in our work throughout the developing world. We also had the opportunity to interact with preeminent actors in the Costa Rican political sphere and distinguished international visitors.

Asia Fest 2006: A night to remember…

We were having a dinner at Azad, Zahed and Sarah’s place when the idea of having the Asia Fest 2006 came up. It must have been the taste of chicken masala that Sarah cooked for us that made us think creatively. The idea was to change to atmosphere (color, taste and smell) of the University for at least one day. It was an idea turned into a reality, full of colors and packed with action. It took us only 2 weeks to plan and prepare everything, and that amidst the raucous week of our final exams. By the time the day came, we had more than 15 pairs of hand trying to finished more than 10 types of Asian food in one kitchen. For me, that was the highlight of the preparation. I have never seen so much passion of people cooking for a cause. It reminded me of the night before a wedding in my own community where dozens of people come and cook for the wedding reception the next day.

On the final day there was enormous support from the whole University. That support inspired all of us. The fashion show was a blast! I never thought I could do a “catwalk” half naked with my “bahag” (g-string) in front of everybody, although I have done it a million times in my own community before. But when I saw Koe doing a semi-moonwalk steps across the stage and Dodie in his sarong, I said to my self, let’s do this! What else can I say? How I wish I could join the next year’s Asia Fest as well.