Greeting from the Director

Overlooking the sprawling vista of San Jose with dormant volcanoes in the distance is the small town of El Rodeo and the home of the University for Peace.  Dr. El Menawi, a distinguished Human Rights lawyer, facilitates a Model United Nations Security Council on the Crisis in Darfur.  Around the room is a Colonel from Nigeria, a banker from Bangladesh, a social worker from Kyrgyzstan, a teacher from Japan, a paratrooper from Israel, a student activist from Peru, a human rights lawyer from Uganda and an environmental consultant from Costa Rica.

I walked into this classroom several years ago and in many ways I haven’t left. The skills, perspectives, and relationships I gained during my year at the United Nations mandated University for Peace have fundamentally shaped my personal and professional orientation. They also inspired me to assist in creating an institution dedicated to promoting and advancing its great work in the United States.

At the U.S. Association for the University for Peace (UPEACE/US), we work at all levels to further our common mission of fostering peace through education.  From advocacy campaigns at the United Nations to youth-focused grassroots initiatives, we link UPEACE with the world and in doing so, advance the role of education in peacebuilding.

Whether you are an alum, potential partner, prospective student, interested employer, or inspired donor, I invite you to learn how you can be a part of our work.

In peace,

Nicholas C. Martin
Executive Director
UPEACE/US
Peace Education '06