Oscar Arias, former president of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, was awarded an honorary degree by Carleton Sept. 12 for his lifetime of achievement and dedication to his country.
In his speech, Arias said he has received over 65 honorary awards throughout his lifetime, and only a few of them have been presented in Canadian universities. He served two terms in office, 1986 and 2006.
Carleton graduate Alexandra Bugailiskis said in her speech that Arias “makes the possible seem attainable” through his humanitarian work and time spent ending civil wars occurring at that time in Central America.
The ceremony began with a playing of the national anthem, followed by a blessing and prayer. Various members of the community were present, including current and former Carleton students, ambassadors, members of the foreign affairs office, the director of international education and city council members. After receiving the degree, Arias proceeded with a 30-minute speech.
During his address, Arias wanted to leave the audience a message of hope.
“Peace that we seek can be achieved,” he said.
Gary Christensen, a media personality from Costa Rica, tried to prevent Arias from receiving the degree. Christensen said Arias committed human rights violations and that included “beatings, orders, extortion, constitutional fraud and violence to instill fear into the population.”
Certain students who attended the ceremony disagree with the allegations against Arias.
“He helped out in the middle of the conflict [in my country] and he was really helpful,” said Ramón Lara, a second-year sustainable and renewable energy engineering student from Honduras.
“The agreement that was signed, that ended our conflict, was an agreement he suggested.”
“There are some people that are not happy about it,” said Jorge Beeche, also a second-year sustainable and renewable energy engineering student, about the accusations regarding the human rights violations.
“There are many factors, but it has to do with his political background, and the party that he represents, and the party he became president for. They believe that because he was president more than once, his party is trying to gain control, which is absurd.”
Arias also responded to the allegations against him.
“Well if you’re in politics, you have your adversaries and your friends. That happens everywhere.”
Arias has also been awarded the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism and is a trustee of Economists for Peace and Security. He also promotes peace and social justice with Collegium International, an organization compromised of other world leaders.
