164 students from 47 countries received their Master's and Doctoral degrees from the programmes that are currently offered at the University, all focused on peace and conflict. The students who will graduate have presented, as an example of their commitment towards peace, graduation projects in various themes of current interest such as refugees, media, education, legislation, and politics, among others.

In addition to their studies, these students have contributed to Costa Rican society through various volunteer programmes. In the community of La Carpio, for example, students organized media projects, offered classes in the English language, and promoted environmental sustainability. Students also worked with prisoners and indigenous communities, and have collaborated with the programme of clowning in the National Children's Hospital.
UPEACE alumni are now in important positions around the world using the tools acquired during their programmes of study.

Having shared the past 11 months with their Costa Rican community, these young leaders have become good will ambassadors of Costa Rica, who will take with them the culture and traditions of this great country.
UPEACE was created by an initiative of the Government of Costa Rica in 1980, which is the reason why it will celebrate its 30th Anniversary next year. After a revitalization process, the University started its current programmes in 2003 with a class of 22 students; its growth in the last six years has been vertiginous, and students from 91 nationalities have walked through its corridors.
The key-note speaker at the Commencement was H.E. Luiz Soares Dulci, Minister in Chief of the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic of Brazil.

The ceremony also benefitted from the presence of the President of the Council of the University for Peace, H.E. Julio María Sanguinetti; along with members of the diplomatic corp, authorities of the University, and family and invitees of the students.