Imagine a room full of young people debating cyber defense, information wars, and international stability. That was the energy across our Santa Ana campus during our Model United Nations (MUN) conference.
This year’s central prompt challenged delegates to face a critical global issue: “War beyond weapons: Securing international peace in an era of non-traditional warfare.”
We welcomed guest delegates representing six schools from across the country:
- Colegio San Luis Gonzaga
- Colegio Técnico Profesional de San Isidro de Heredia
- Lincoln School
- Journey School Tamarindo
- Journey School Jacó
Working alongside UWC Costa Rica students, this mix of participants from public and private schools stepped into the roles of international diplomats to propose constructive solutions to non-traditional threats.
Real-World Peacebuilding with Mauricio Artiñano
To ground the debates in real diplomatic practice, the conference featured keynote speaker Mauricio Artiñano, a Costa Rican expert in diplomacy and international relations.
Mauricio brought firsthand insights from his extensive work in United Nations peace operations across South Sudan, Somalia, and Colombia. He previously served as Costa Rica’s political coordinator to the UN Security Council and worked as a senior advisor to UN special representatives.
During his address, Mauricio shared what it takes to negotiate peace agreements and protect vulnerable communities directly inside conflict zones. His experiences demonstrated to participants that effective diplomacy requires active listening, personal resilience, and deep empathy.
Your Voice on the Global Stage
At UWC Costa Rica, activities like MUN are an active part of student life through our Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) co-curricular program. You do not just read about world events in textbooks; you engage with them directly.
Academic courses within the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)—such as Global Politics, History, or Anthropology—give you the analytical tools to build solid arguments. Living on campus with peers from 63 different nationalities means your everyday conversations bring global perspectives right to your doorstep.
If you are eager to tackle complex global challenges, sharpen your public speaking, and grow inside an international community, UWC Costa Rica offers the space to do it.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Your UWC Costa Rica experience can start today. Applications are open year-round with options tailored to your goals. Will you join the next generation of changemakers? Start your application now!