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• Oscar Arias is the 47th president of Costa Rica. He is also the recipient of the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize.

• Fast Facts

  1. Full name: Oscar Arias Sanchez
  2. Born: September 13, 1940
  3. Birth place: Heredia, Costa Rica
  4. First elected president: 1986
  5. Political party: National Liberation Party - PLN
  6. Alma Mater: University of Costa Rica
  7. Also attended: Boston University, University of Essex, Harvard University, London School of Economics
  8. Awards: Nobel Peace Prize, Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism

• Nobel Prize

  Arias was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his work in bringing peace to warring Central American countries.Nobelprize.org: Acceptance Speech He achieved this by getting the leaders of Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica to sign the Central American Peace Agreement on August 7, 1987.

• Quotes

  "... In the opinion of the committee, Oscar Arias is a strong spokesman for those ideals. The importance of his work for peace will extend beyond Central America."—Nobel CommitteeNobelprize.org: The Nobel Peace Prize 1987

  "For free men everything is possible. The challenges confronting us can be overcome by an America which is democratic and free..."—Oscar AriasNobelprize.org: Only Peace Can Write the New History

  "Peace is not a matter of prizes or trophies. It is not the product of a victory or command. It has no finishing line, no final deadline, no fixed definition of achievement."—Oscar AriasNobelprize.org: Acceptance Speech

  "Some ideologies have placed greater importance on the concept of individual freedom, while others on the unquestioning commitment to the social group."—Oscar AriasSanta Clara University: Oscar Arias Sanchez Reflects on Working Toward Peace

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Costa Rica | CAFTA Costa Rica | George W. Bush | Nicaragua | Guatemala | El Salvador | Panama | Honduras | International Criminal Court | Nobel Prize | European Union | Farc | Nobel Peace Prize Winners

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