Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s path to build a strong, healthy, and transparent democracy that promotes peace, equality, and equity for all has been a shared vision with The Carter Center since the 1990s, one that continues today.

Working with government agencies, the public sector, and civil society, our partnerships in Costa Rica have made great strides toward a more equitable and safe country.

Short-term Goals

We are helping Costa Rica create a more transparent and equitable democracy.

Impact

Developed a mandatory training course on gender-sensitive policing for new and current police officers. The course is now taught at Costa Rica’s National Police Academy.
Convened in 2002 a first-ever seminar for government officials, the private sector, and civil society organizations to agree on public monitoring of government activities and processes, which led to significant reforms.

Carter Center Releases New Election Obligations and Standards Manual Ahead of Summit for Democracy

Press Release
Mar. 27, 2023

Carter Center Announces 2021-2022 Rosalynn Carter Fellows for Mental Health Journalism in Latin America

Press Release
Sep. 17, 2021

The Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter Call on Venezuelan Government to Restore Constitutional Order

Press Release
May. 24, 2018

Active

Rule of Law

Since May 2021, The Carter Center has supported the Costa Rica Office of Gender Equality and Equity to develop policies and practices to address key factors that undermine gender equality in the Costa Rican police forces.

Our Work and Methods

We promote an environment that creates opportunities for women and gender minorities to pursue careers in policing and advance into leadership positions. With improved hiring and promotion practices, Costa Rica’s police forces will be more representative of the people they serve.

Our Impacts

Developed a mandatory training course on gender-sensitive policing for new and current police officers, now taught at Costa Rica’s National Police Academy.

Trained 21 senior police officers and government staff to teach a course on human rights and gender in policing, which was delivered to an inaugural cohort of 120 cadets at the National Police Academy.

Produced a compendium of gender equity terms, laws, policies, and guidelines to help the government lead gender equity actions.

Legacy

Peacebuilding

Concerned about an arms race in Latin America, the Carter Center’s Council of Presidents and Prime Ministers of the Americas urged governments in the region to pause before embarking on major arms purchases. Between April 1997 and March 1998, 28 current and 14 former heads of government — including Costa Rica’s — signed a pledge to accept a moratorium of two years on purchasing sophisticated weapons.

In 1998, The Carter Center launched efforts to reduce corruption and promote transparency in Costa Rica, alongside programs in Jamaica and Ecuador.

Our Work and Methods

In 2000, we convened a first-ever seminar for government officials, the private sector, and civil society organizations to agree on public monitoring of government activities and processes.

Our Impacts

Established a national forum for shaping a reform agenda
Created the role of transparency advisor
Recommended creating a special prosecutor’s office to investigate and prosecute ethics cases