Oscar Arias
Oscar Arias
Óscar Arias Sánchezwas President of Costa Rica from 1986 to 1990 and from 2006 to 2010. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his efforts to end the Central American crisis...
NationalityCosta Rican
ProfessionWorld Leader
Date of Birth13 September 1940
CityHeredia, Costa Rica
accustomed country elections four
It's a country that's accustomed to elections every four years. Clean, crystalline, transparent elections.
arms fair health money spend
It's not fair for the U.S. to spend, on arms and weapons, so much money and then not spend on health care the money that is needed.
common-humanity nuclear-disarmament race
The existence of nuclear weapons presents a clear and present danger to life on Earth. Nuclear arms cannot bolster the security of any nation because they represent a threat to the security of the human race. These incredibly destructive weapons are an affront to our common humanity, and the tens of billions of dollars that are dedicated to their development and maintenance should be used instead to alleviate human need and suffering
courage taken reality
Hope is the strongest driving force for a people. Hope which brings about change, which produces new realities, is what opens man's road to freedom. Once hope has taken hold, courage must unite with wisdom. That is the only way of avoiding violence, the only way of maintaining the calm one needs to respond peacefully to offenses.
dream peace hard-work
Peace is not a dream; it is hard work, and there is nothing naive, glamorous or simplistic about it.
armed children health
The children of the world, what they want and what they need are health clinics and schools, not tanks or armed helicopters or fighter jets.
although best central clearly economic equitable hemisphere interest prosperous supported united washington
Although fostering a peaceful, prosperous and equitable hemisphere is clearly in the best interest of the United States, Washington has not always supported Central America's struggle for economic survival.
arms exporter government main quite sad states united
Indeed, it is quite sad to see the United States becoming the main exporter of arms. It is quite sad to look at the U.S. government subsidizing arms exports.
addressing burdened cause continue countries desperate developing high increase instead living might military order population root
Many developing countries continue to be burdened by high percentages of their population living in poverty. Yet, instead of addressing this root cause of conflict, many states, ironically, increase their military might in order to control increasingly desperate populations.
armed change country means military minds name necessary people profound wore yesterday
To demilitarize the country means to make a profound decision. It is not enough to change the name of the armed forces. It is necessary to change the minds of those people who only yesterday wore a military uniform.
polls reality
Today, we'll make reality what the polls have been saying.
arms basic best fight fighting hunger needs perpetuate spending terrorism
The best way to perpetuate poverty is by spending on arms and military, and the best way to fight terrorism is by fighting the basic needs of humanity, because hunger and poverty perpetuate crime.
addressing committed educate lack lacks resources
The world does not lack the financial resources to feed, educate and clothe its inhabitants. Rather, it lacks leaders committed to addressing the problems of the impoverished.
passport travel
I often say that poverty needs no passport to travel.