All Content: Costa Rica

President Obama to Meet with Central American Presidents

Topics of Discussion to Include Security and Economic Cooperation
1 May 2013
News
The Central American stop on Obama's trip seems intended to showcase positive messages about economic growth and partnership. But Central America has some huge challenges—on dealing with crime and insecurity, and on human rights and democracy—that will inevitably be part of the story.

Tracking International Anti-Crime and Violence Prevention Efforts in Central America

31 Jan 2013
Publication
The Mapping of Internationally-Funded Citizen Security Projects in Central America is a joint initiative of WOLA and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to monitor international assistance from multilateral institutions, donor governments, and private foundations to support anti-crime and violence reduction programs in Central America.

The 25th anniversary of the Esquipulas II accords

CIP's Bill Goodfellow reflects on Central America's peace processes
8 Aug 2012
Publication
On August 7, 1987, Central America's presidents signed an agreement that brought an eventual end to the country's civil wars. Adam talks to William Goodfellow, executive director of the Center for International Policy, who accompanied the Esquipulas process.

Summit of the Americas: WOLA Resources

12 Apr 2012
News
WOLA is pleased to provide these resources about the upcoming Summit of the Americas.

Summit of the Americas: Walking the Walk on Partnership

5 Apr 2012
Analysis & Commentary
The presidents of the Americas (with some notable exceptions) will gather once again later this month. President Obama will likely again focus on partnership, engagement, and co-responsibility. These are the right ideas, and they can revolutionize our relationship with the hemisphere.

Central American Presidents to Meet to Discuss Alternatives to “War on Drugs”

Four Reforms Prime for Consideration and Implementation
22 Mar 2012
News
On Saturday, March 24, Guatemalan President Otto Pérez Molina will host a meeting of Central American presidents. Here, WOLA suggests four alternatives to the current strategy.

WOLA: Promoting Human Rights, Democracy, and Social Justice

22 Dec 2011
Video
As the year winds to a close, we hope you will enjoy this video about how WOLA works with partners in the region to advance human rights in Latin America. If you have not done so, we hope you will consider making a donation to WOLA to support our continued efforts. Your support makes a difference.

Guatemalan mining raises human rights concerns

The Global Development and Environment Institute (GDAE) at Tufts University has just released a study that examines a controversial gold mining project in Guatemala
3 Oct 2011
Publication
The issues raised in the study have implications for extractive industry projects and for human rights and social justice activists who follow these projects.

Joy Olson Speaks at the 2011 WOLA Human Rights Awards

21 Sep 2011
Video
WOLA's Executive Director, Joy Olson, gives the opening address at WOLA's 2011 Human Rights Awards Ceremony and Benefit Gala.

WOLA's 2011 Human Rights Awards

8 Sep 2011
Video
On September 13, 2011, WOLA honored Gael Garcia Bernal, Ambulante, and CEDECO for promoting human rights and telling stories that make a difference. Check out this video about the amazing work of our honorees.

Climate Smart Agriculture in Latin America: A Sustainable Development Alternative

8 Sep 2011
Video
Jonathan Castro, of the Educational Corporation for Costa Rican Development (CEDECO), speaks with WOLA’s Vicki Gass about how small-scale, alternative agriculture can become a powerful tool for climate change mitigation and poverty reduction.

Press Availabilities with Recipients of WOLA’s 2011 Human Rights Award — Actor Gael García Bernal, Ambulante, and CEDECO

Press Conference and Awards Gala on September 13th to Highlight "Migration and Development: Stories that Make a Difference"
6 Sep 2011
News
Washington, D.C. - On September 13, 2011, the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) will be hosting a press conference preceding its 2011 Human Rights Awards gala. This year, the theme of the gala is Migration and Development: Stories that Make a Difference.

Report Back from Central America's Security Conference

A conversation with Geoff Thale and Adriana Beltrán
1 Jul 2011
Publication
WOLA Program Director Geoff Thale and Senior Associate Adriana Beltran were recently in Guatemala City, where Central America's presidents and international donors were discussing responses to Central America's severe citizen security challenges.

WOLA and IDB Release Most Comprehensive Study To Date on International Aid for Citizen Security in Central America

WOLA urges Central American governments and International Donors to use study as a tool for coordinating efforts
22 Jun 2011
News
Details the international community's support for citizen security in Central America.

Civil Society Declaration to Central American Governments, SICA, and International Donor Community

21 Jun 2011
Publication
The recommendations are the result of a day-long civil society forum on citizen security in Central America that achieved broad-based consensus.

Regional Leaders Meet in Guatemala to Discuss Central American Security Strategy

WOLA will be in attendance and urges leaders to consider a comprehensive approach to insecurity
21 Jun 2011
News
Adriana Beltrán and Geoff Thale are coordinating with civil society experts from Central America to ensure that the viewpoints and experiences of those working on the ground in violence prevention and citizen security are taken into account in the new regional plan.

The Crisis of Crime and Violence in Central America: More than just Drugs and Gangs

Commentary by Program Director Geoff Thale
20 Jun 2011
Analysis & Commentary
This week the "International Conference in Support of the Central American Security Strategy" will bring together Central American presidents and officials from multi-lateral banks and donor governments, including Hilary Clinton for the U.S. Attendees will debate a security strategy for the region, but how will leaders frame the issue?

Tackling Urban Violence in Latin America

WOLA Releases Report Comparing Innovative Approaches to Citizen Security
6 Jun 2011
News
Today, as the Organization of American States (OAS) 41st General Assembly focuses on “Citizen Security in the Americas,” WOLA released a new report on innovative approaches to reduce urban violence.

OAS General Assembly to Emphasize Citizen Security Amidst Mounting Crime and Violence

WOLA will be in attendance in San Salvador
3 Jun 2011
News
The upcoming OAS General Assembly, has as its theme “Citizen Security in the Americas,” a key issue given the alarming levels of violence in the region.

Agroecology and climate change in Central America

A conversation with Francisco Fonseca of CEDECO
28 Mar 2011
Publication
WOLA Rights and Development Senior Associate Vicki Gass talks with Francisco Fonseca of CEDECO, the Educational Corporation for Costa Rican Development, about his organization's work encouraging small farmers' adoption of sustainable methods.

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