Rodrigo Alberto Carazo Zeledón, a prominent Costa Rican politician, economist, and lawyer known for his human rights activism, spoke to students and staff of the ACM Costa Rica program in November.
Rodrigo Carazo Zeledón
From 1993-97, Carazo served as the first Ombudsman of the Republic of Costa Rica. The position, also called the Defender of the Republic’s Inhabitants, is the public body in charge of protecting the rights and interests of Costa Ricans. The Ombudsman’s office was established to ensure that the entire public sector adheres to the country’s constitution and laws.
Along with his presentation on the topic “Costa Rica: Where is it coming from and where is it going?,” Carazo answered the students’ questions and talked with them about current events.
Over the past 35 years, Carazo has held a variety of public posts, including President of the Central American Council of Human Rights, President of the American Federation of Ombudsmen, Special Ambassador to the UN General Assembly, and representative of the University for Peace at the United Nations European Headquarters.
He has been a leader in the Citizen Action Party as a party deputy and member of the political committee, was a professor at the University of Costa Rica (UCR), and has worked as a lawyer and in business.
Rodrigo Carazo Zeledón (center) with ACM students and staff.
Carazo has a degree in law and a doctorate in political science, having studied at UCR and the University of Geneva in Switzerland.
Students on the ACM Costa Rica: Community Engagement in Public Health, Education, & the Environment program engage with guest speakers in fields such as politics, economics, education, conservation, humanities, and public health as part of their broad immersion in Costa Rican society and culture. The fall semester curriculum includes Spanish language study, a variety of courses, and a month-long rural practicum project, as well as home stays and extensive field trips throughout the country.
Links:
- Costa Rica: Community Engagement in Public Health, Education, & the Environment (fall semester)
- Costa Rica: Field Research in the Environment, Social Sciences, & Humanities (spring semester & spring quarter/trimester)
