About the Office
A safer and more respectful UPEACE community
Every member of the UPEACE community has the right to study and work in an environment grounded in dignity, respect and fairness.
The Office of the Ombudsperson contributes to this commitment by offering confidential guidance, supporting the prevention and resolution of prohibited conduct, and helping ensure that concerns and complaints are addressed fairly and in accordance with UPEACE policies.
The Ombudsperson works with students, staff members, visiting faculty, visiting scholars, interns, consultants, contractors and others covered by the relevant University policies.
Meet the Ombudsperson
Kathya Araya is a Costa Rican attorney with more than 30 years of experience in ethics, governance, institutional accountability and public law. She currently serves as Ombudsperson at the University for Peace (UPEACE), having been reappointed to the position after previously serving in the same role from 2020 to 2022. In this capacity, she provides confidential, independent, impartial, and assistance to members of the University community and promotes a culture of integrity, respect, and fairness.
Throughout her career, Ms. Araya has advised governments, international organizations, and private institutions on compliance and organizational governance. She has extensive experience in workplace investigations, disciplinary proceedings and misconduct reviews.
Prior to her reappointment at UPEACE, Ms. Araya served as Compliance Review Coordinator at the Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism (MICI) of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), where she led independent compliance investigations involving major development projects across Latin America, assessing institutional compliance with environmental and social standards, stakeholder engagement requirements, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, involuntary resettlement, and governance frameworks.
Earlier in her career, she held senior legal positions in government and private practice. Her professional experience spans public administration, business and human rights, and public-private partnerships.
Ms. Araya has taught at the University of Costa Rica, LEAD University, the University for Peace, the Central American Institute of Public Administration (ICAP), and PIAPPEM (Mexico). She is a frequent speaker on accountability, sustainable infrastructure and business and human rights.
A Fulbright Scholar, she holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Houston Law Center, a law degree and a specialization in Public Law, from the University of Costa Rica and the APMG Certified Public-Private Partnerships Professional (CP3P Foundation) credential.
When should I contact the Ombudsperson?
You may contact the Ombudsperson if you:
- Have experienced or witnessed conduct that may constitute discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment or abuse of authority.
- Believe you have experienced retaliation after reporting misconduct or participating in an authorized audit or investigation.
- Are unsure whether a situation falls under a UPEACE policy and would like confidential guidance.
- Would like to understand the difference between informal resolution and a formal complaint.
- Need information about the procedures available to you.
- Have been accused of prohibited conduct and need information about the process and your rights.
- Are experiencing an interpersonal conflict that could potentially give rise to prohibited conduct and that the relevant administrative or academic leaders have been unable to resolve.
- Have direct knowledge of possible prohibited conduct affecting another member of the UPEACE community.
You may seek guidance even if you are not ready to take further action. Contacting the Ombudsperson does not automatically require you to pursue an informal or formal process, subject to any obligations or exceptions established by UPEACE policies and applicable law.
Understanding your options
Seeking confidential guidance
Informal resolution
Formal complaint
Seeking confidential guidance
You may speak with the Ombudsperson to discuss what happened, ask questions and understand the options available to you.
Seeking guidance is not necessarily the same as filing a formal complaint. At the beginning of the conversation, the Ombudsperson should explain what can remain confidential, whether any policy obligations may apply and what would be required if you later choose to begin a formal process.
Informal resolution
Where appropriate, a concern may be addressed through an informal process, such as facilitated communication, mediation, conciliation or restorative justice.
Informal resolution is voluntary and cannot be imposed on either party. You are not required to confront another person directly. An unsuccessful attempt at informal resolution does not prevent a matter from later being pursued formally.
Informal resolution may not be appropriate in every case, particularly when the reported conduct may constitute a criminal offence.
Formal complaint
If informal resolution is not desired or appropriate, a formal complaint may be submitted in accordance with UPEACE policy.
A formal process may include a preliminary review, notification to the person whose conduct is in question, the establishment of an investigative panel and an opportunity for the parties to provide relevant information. Any resulting recommendations or decisions will be handled by the authorities identified in the policy.
Protection against retaliation
You have the right to raise concerns without retaliation
UPEACE prohibits retaliation against individuals who report misconduct or cooperate with duly authorized audits or investigations.
Retaliation may include harmful or adverse action taken because a person raised a concern, made a report, participated in a process or supported another person’s participation. It may also include threats or recommendations of retaliatory action.
If you believe that you have experienced, been threatened with or become aware of retaliation, contact the Ombudsperson promptly.