On October 2, Gandhi’s birthday, the 3rd World March for Peace and Nonviolence started in Costa Rica, an initiative launched by the organization “World Without Wars and Violence”. The march began in a country that has been committed to peace since 1948 The opening ceremony took place at the University for Peace (UPAZ), the only institution of its kind in the world. Founded in 1980 by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 35/55, it is dedicated to training students from over 120 nations to create a peaceful future.
Francisco Rojas Aravena, the rector of the UPAZ, opened the event and emphasized the transformative power of education in building peace. Giovanny Blanco, coordinator of the “World Without Wars and Violence” in Costa Rica, expressed his pride that Costa Rica was chosen as the venue for the start and finish of the 3rd World March. He called for unity to create a new era of peace through active nonviolence.
Federico Monge, representative of the Office of the Ombudsman, also spoke and emphasized that peace is a universal right that belongs to all people. Raquel Zeledón Sánchez, Vice President for Student Life at the Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED), emphasized the role of education and women in promoting peace and developing communities.
Rafael de la Rubia, initiator of the World March for Peace and Nonviolence, called on those present to dedicate themselves to personal and social growth. He called on everyone “to contribute something inspiring to this joint effort that the World March represents”. The speeches concluded with a collective reading of the ethical commitment to not use knowledge against humanity, led by Vanessa Vaglio of “World Without Wars and Violence” (MSGSV).
The ceremony ended with a symbolic act in which the members of the grassroots team from Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Guadeloupe, Honduras, Italy, Poland, Germany and Suriname, together with representatives of the authorities, students and teachers, formed a large peace symbol by holding signs with the word “peace” in different languages.
The event was accompanied by a rousing cultural performance involving the Duo Contrapunto (Alejandra Espinoza and Gerardo Cascante), the rhythm group of the Liceo Diurno from Ciudad Colón, and children from the Quizarco School, who performed dances from the Huetar de Quitirrisí indigenous community. This celebration marked the beginning of a global day of action dedicated to the promotion of peace and nonviolence, issues of vital importance in today’s world.
After the opening ceremony, the march continued from the university to the Escuela del Rodeo, where children with small Costa Rican flags welcomed the World March. A caravan of buses and vehicles then led the march to the center of the capital, San José. There, the city’s mayor, Yariela Quirós, and local government representatives joined the march, which finally led to the Costa Rican parliament. At the Parliament, the deputies presented Rafael de la Rubia with a motion in support of the 3rd World March for Peace and Nonviolence.
Finally, a collection of signatures was launched for a declaration of support from the entire population of Costa Rica, with the female parliamentarians* being the first signatories.
The event ended with a symbolic tribute to the Costa Rican Declaration of Peace to All the Peoples of the World and the Abolition of the Army. This took place in the Plaza de la Abolición Militar (Military Abolition Plaza), located next to the Costa Rican Parliament building.
[1] The decision that Costa Rica should not have an army was enshrined in the constitution in 1949, after the civil war, when the military was disempowered and the armed forces headquarters was subsequently declared a national museum.20.03.2024
Photos by Stefano Radice and Energia per i diritti umani
