Steve Wozniak
Co-Founder of Apple | National Medal of Technology | National Inventors Hall of Fame | James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian | Author of iWoz
Oscar Arias
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, 1987 | Two-Time President of Costa Rica | Architect of the Central American Peace Plan | Founder, Arias Foundation for Peace
Oscar Arias is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and two-time President of Costa Rica whose diplomacy helped end the civil wars that ravaged Central America in the 1980s. The architect of the Arias Peace Plan, signed by five presidents in 1987, he devoted his Nobel award to a foundation that still advances peace and demilitarization worldwide. On stage, he brings the moral authority of a leader who turned an impossible negotiation into lasting peace, and challenges audiences to lead with principle.
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Oscar Arias biography
Political speaker Oscar Arias is the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and two-time President of Costa Rica whose diplomacy helped bring an end to the civil wars that tore through Central America in the 1980s. Awarded the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize for his Central American peace plan, he has spent the decades since as a global voice for peace, demilitarization, democracy, and human development.
Born in Heredia, Costa Rica, Arias studied at the University of Costa Rica and earned a doctorate in political science from the University of Essex after studies at the London School of Economics. He entered government as a cabinet minister before being elected president for the first time in 1986. He served two terms, from 1986 to 1990 and again from 2006 to 2010, leading Costa Rica through economic modernization, education reform, and, in his second term, the country’s entry into the Central American Free Trade Agreement.
The Arias Peace Plan and a Life Devoted to Peace
Arias’s defining achievement was the Esquipulas II Accord, widely known as the Arias Peace Plan. After more than a year of negotiations, it was signed by the five Central American presidents in Guatemala on August 7, 1987, committing their governments to ceasefires, free elections, democratization, and an end to outside interference. The plan helped wind down the region’s armed conflicts and earned Arias the Nobel Peace Prize that same year. He devoted the entire monetary award to founding the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress, which continues his work on demilitarization, conflict resolution, and equal opportunity. He has since received roughly fifty honorary degrees from universities including Harvard and Princeton.
As a speaker, Oscar Arias brings the moral authority of a head of state who turned an impossible negotiation into lasting peace. He speaks with clarity and conviction on peace and conflict resolution, ethical leadership, human security, and the link between development and stability, challenging senior audiences to lead with principle in a turbulent world. Audiences gain a rare, firsthand perspective on how diplomacy, patience, and conviction can change the course of history.
Oscar Arias Speaking Videos
Oscar Arias
Oscar Arias - University of Miami Commencement Speech
Oscar Arias Keynote Topics
No society can truly prosper without peace and justice, yet both are hard to win and easy to lose. Drawing on his own experience, Oscar Arias recounts how he persuaded five Central American presidents to sign a peace accord that ended years of conflict, an achievement many thought impossible. He explores the obstacles to building lasting peace, the dangers of taking it for granted, and how each of us can help others secure these essential freedoms.
Can the world solve poverty, conflict, and climate change? Oscar Arias argues that doing so requires leaders guided by principle rather than self-interest. As one of the first heads of state to make moral leadership the center of his statecraft, he shares what it takes to lead ethically through complexity, drawing on the conviction and patience that brought peace to a region at war. A powerful call for a new standard of leadership.
There is no human development without security, and achieving it has never been more difficult. Oscar Arias explains why genuine security, far beyond military strength, is the foundation on which prosperity, democracy, and human dignity are built. Drawing on decades of international experience, he offers a clear-eyed view of the policies and choices that allow societies to grow safer, fairer, and more resilient.
What should guide the decisions of leaders and nations in the decades ahead? Oscar Arias sets out the priorities and ethical principles he believes must shape policy in a turbulent era, from demilitarization and development to democracy and the responsible use of power. He also shares how he has stayed firm in his convictions through a lifetime in public life, offering audiences a compass for principled decision-making.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Oscar Arias
Why Oscar Arias?
Booking Oscar Arias brings your audience a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former head of state whose diplomacy ended civil wars across Central America. As the architect of the Arias Peace Plan and two-time President of Costa Rica, he speaks with rare moral authority on peace, ethical leadership, and human development. What sets him apart on stage is the lived experience behind his message: he convinced five presidents to sign a peace accord that many believed impossible, then devoted his Nobel award to a foundation advancing peace worldwide. For conferences on leadership, global affairs, human rights, and diplomacy, he is an exceptional choice. Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you bring Oscar Arias to your next event.
Why did Oscar Arias win the Nobel Peace Prize?
Oscar Arias won the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize for designing and brokering a peace plan to end the armed conflicts ravaging Central America. Known as the Esquipulas II Accord or the Arias Peace Plan, it was signed by the presidents of Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua in August 1987 and called for ceasefires, free elections, democratization, and an end to foreign interference in the region.
How many times was Oscar Arias President of Costa Rica?
Oscar Arias served as President of Costa Rica twice, first from 1986 to 1990 and again from 2006 to 2010. His first term was defined by his Central American peace efforts and the Nobel Peace Prize, while his second term included economic modernization and Costa Rica's entry into the Central American Free Trade Agreement.
What topics does Oscar Arias speak about?
Oscar Arias speaks on peace and conflict resolution, ethical and moral leadership, human security and development, and the priorities facing leaders in the 21st century. Drawing on his experience as a head of state and Nobel laureate, he tailors keynotes for corporate, academic, and policy audiences. To check his availability and book him, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau.
How to book Oscar Arias as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Oscar Arias as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Oscar Arias's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Oscar Arias or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Oscar Arias speaking fee?
Oscar Arias speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Oscar Arias to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Oscar Arias.
How can I contact Oscar Arias?
We only work with Oscar Arias on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Oscar Arias and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Oscar Arias speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Oscar Arias for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Oscar Arias for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Oscar Arias is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Oscar Arias for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
