Óscar Arias facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Óscar Arias
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Óscar Arias in April 2018
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| 40th & 45th President of Costa Rica | |
| In office 8 May 2006 – 8 May 2010 |
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| Vice President | First Laura Chinchilla Second Kevin Casas |
| Preceded by | Abel Pacheco |
| Succeeded by | Laura Chinchilla |
| In office 8 May 1986 – 8 May 1990 |
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| Vice President | First Jorge Manuel Dengo Obregón Second Victoria Garrón de Doryan |
| Preceded by | Luis Alberto Monge |
| Succeeded by | Rafael Ángel Calderón |
| Deputy of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica | |
| In office 1 May 1978 – 2 May 1981 |
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| Preceded by | Jorge Luis Arce |
| Succeeded by | Gerardo Vega |
| Constituency | Heredia (2nd Office) |
| Minister of National Planning | |
| In office 1974–1977 |
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| President | Daniel Oduber |
| Preceded by | Himself |
| Succeeded by | Fernando Zumbado |
| Director of the Office of National Planning | |
| In office 1971–1974 |
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| President | José Figueres |
| Preceded by | Marco López |
| Succeeded by | Himself |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Óscar Arias Sánchez
13 September 1940 Heredia, Costa Rica |
| Political party | National Liberation Party |
| Alma mater | Boston University University of Costa Rica London School of Economics University of Essex |
| Signature |  |
Óscar Arias Sánchez was born on September 13, 1940, in Heredia, Costa Rica. He is a famous Costa Rican leader and activist. He served as the President of Costa Rica two times. His first term was from 1986 to 1990, and his second was from 2006 to 2010.
In 1987, Óscar Arias won the Nobel Peace Prize. He received this award for his efforts to bring peace to Central America. At that time, many countries in the region were facing conflicts. Arias proposed a plan to end these wars peacefully. His ideas helped lead to peace agreements in countries like El Salvador and Nicaragua.
He also received the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism. This award honors people who do great work for humanity. Arias has always worked to promote peace and democracy around the world.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Óscar Arias grew up in a well-known family in Heredia. He finished high school in San José. After that, he went to the United States. He first studied medicine at Boston University.
However, he soon returned to Costa Rica. There, he earned degrees in law and economics from the University of Costa Rica. Later, in 1967, he traveled to the United Kingdom. He studied at the London School of Economics. In 1974, he earned a special degree in political science from the University of Essex.
First Time as President (1986-1990)
Óscar Arias joined the National Liberation Party (PLN). This is a major political party in Costa Rica. In 1986, he successfully ran for president.
During his first time as president, Costa Rica's economy changed. It moved from relying on crops like coffee and bananas. Instead, it started focusing on new types of farming and tourism. This helped Costa Rica grow and become more modern.
Arias won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his work on the Esquipulas II Accords. This plan aimed to bring democracy and peace to Central America. Many countries in the region were in civil wars. Arias worked to end these conflicts. His efforts helped bring peace to the region within a decade.
He also pushed for Central American countries to work together more closely. He supported the idea of a Central American Parliament. Arias also made changes to Costa Rica's education system. He brought back important tests for students finishing primary and secondary school.
Second Time as President (2006-2010)
Costa Rica's constitution used to say that former presidents could not run for re-election. But in 2003, this rule was changed. This allowed Óscar Arias to run for president again.
In 2004, Arias announced he would run in the 2006 elections. He won the election by a small number of votes. He took office on May 8, 2006.
During his second term, Arias made a big change in foreign policy. On June 1, 2007, Costa Rica changed its diplomatic ties. It recognized the People's Republic of China instead of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
In 2009, Arias spoke at the 5th Summit of the Americas. He talked about why Latin American countries were not developing as fast as others. He encouraged leaders to focus more on education and less on military spending.
Helping in the 2009 Honduran Crisis
In 2009, there was a political crisis in Honduras. The Honduran president, Manuel Zelaya, was removed from office. Óscar Arias stepped in to help. He became a mediator between the different groups in Honduras.
Arias worked hard to find a peaceful solution. He proposed a plan to help resolve the situation. His efforts showed his dedication to solving problems through talking and negotiation.
Health Matters
In 2008, Óscar Arias had a non-cancerous cyst on his vocal cords. Doctors advised him not to speak for a month to help it heal. In 2009, he was diagnosed with H1N1 Influenza, but he recovered well.
Awards and Recognitions
Óscar Arias has received many honors throughout his life. He has been given over fifty honorary degrees from universities around the world. These include famous schools like Harvard University and Princeton University.
Some of his main awards include:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Prize
- Philadelphia Liberty Medal
- Jackson Ralston Prize
- Prince of Asturias Award
- Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award
- Prize of the Americas
Images for kids
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Óscar Arias's signature
See also
In Spanish: Óscar Arias Sánchez para niños
