San José, Ciudad Colón, Costa Rica, 19 October 2026. The Rector of the University for Peace (UPEACE), Dr. Francisco Rojas Aravena, has announced his resignation today, effective 31 October 2026, following meetings with staff, students and graduates of the University. The decision comes amid institutional circumstances arising from the incomplete composition of the University’s governing bodies, which has limited the Rector’s ability to make essential decisions concerning its operation and development.
Dr. Rojas Aravena emphasized that his decision was intended to promote dialogue with the university community, expressing the hope that the renewal of the University’s governing bodies would ensure the best conditions for its operation.

In his resignation letter, Dr. Rojas Aravena states: “Times change, and situations evolve rapidly. We live in an international context of profound uncertainty, in which the persistence of armed conflicts, the resort to force and the difficulties facing multilateral cooperation pose challenges to peace and international law. These circumstances reinforce the importance of our University’s mission and call upon us to safeguard its institutional framework with responsibility and a sense of the future. Multilateral institutions are under attack, including the United Nations. Some of the principal international actors are pushing for the destruction of the multilateral institutional framework. The International Criminal Court is the clearest example.” He further emphasizes: “We are facing a profound crisis affecting international institutions, the effective application of international law, and the acceptance of the values of Peace, dialogue and international cooperation. Our university is immersed in this context.”

As of 19 October, Vice-Rector Dr. Juan Carlos Sainz-Borgo will assume responsibility for the day-to-day management of the University, in accordance with institutional regulations, to ensure an orderly transition. UPEACE guarantees the continuity of its academic programmes and student services. UPEACE will work with the authorities designated in its Charter to complete the composition of its Council and conduct, in due course, the selection process for its new authorities.

During his tenure, which began in 2013, Dr. Rojas Aravena advanced the University’s international outreach, strengthened its academic programmes and promoted cooperation with international organizations. Highlights include the accreditation of the master’s programmes at its headquarters and the development of academic initiatives in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, as well as major and significant improvements to the main campus infrastructure. Programmes related to peacebuilding, human rights, diplomacy, interreligious dialogue, democracy, environmental protection and minority rights were furthermore strengthened. His tenure also included humanitarian and cooperation projects with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Government of Costa Rica and the UN Coordination Office in Costa Rica.

The University reaffirms its commitment to its mission, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1980: to educate individuals for peace, understanding and international cooperation, a task of particular relevance amid the current challenges facing multilateralism and international law in a world without rules.

Dr. Rojas Aravena concluded by thanking the overwhelming majority of those who work at UPEACE for their work and selfless dedication. He expressed his gratitude for their efforts and acknowledged that these are even greater in difficult times and adverse circumstances, ranging from international disorder to the deinstitutionalization of multilateral institutions, including UPEACE.

The outgoing Rector expressed his confidence that the university community will be able to overcome the current difficulties through dialogue, respect and cooperation, strengthening governance mechanisms and preserving the prestige, international outreach and international action of the University for Peace.

Letter to the UPEACE Community on the Transition of the UPEACE Rectorship

Response to Anonymous Petition on Change.org

Press contact:
Ariela Fernadez
afernandez@upeace.org
Communications Directorate
University for Peace

Note: This press release was drafted by Dr. Francisco Rojas Aravena