Institute for Peace and Development

Based in Costa Rica, a regional association led by young people committed to working in favor of vulnerable populations in Latin America and the Caribbean

Its Institutional Strategic Plan (ISP) 2025-2028 seeks to make ipades an academic and educational reference in topics such as peace, democratic governance, human rights, liberties and development. Through three institutional programs, the association focuses on promoting human rights, justice, democratic strengthening, security and peace in the region. ipades is guided by values such as justice, solidarity, freedom, non-impunity, dialogue, non-violence, social auditing and impartiality. Its mission is to be an agent of change, promoting positive development in the region.

Justice, solidarity, freedom, non-impunity, dialogue, non-violence, social auditing and impartiality
Ipades

Mission and Vision

Mission

To develop research, training and community work processes on peace, democratic governance, human rights, liberty and development with a trans and multidisciplinary approach contributing to the development of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Vision

To be an academic, research and training center that is a benchmark in Latin America and the Caribbean on issues of peace, democratic governance, human rights and liberties.

Our

Principles and Values

Human Rights

At ipades, human rights are the foundation of all our actions. We believe that the dignity and rights inherent to every human being must be respected at all times and in all circumstances. We promote the protection and defense of fundamental rights as a basis for achieving justice, peace and development in our societies.

Justice

Our vision of justice is based on fairness , respect for individual rights , and collective responsibility . We uphold three key principles: the Liberty Principle , which guarantees the right of every person to act and express themselves freely, while always respecting the rights of others; the Property Principle , which recognizes private property as an essential component of liberty and personal responsibility; and the Contractual Autonomy Principle , which allows individuals to enter into voluntary agreements that respect their rights. We seek justice that promotes equality of opportunity and ensures the protection of the rights of all individuals.

Rule of Law

At ipades, we defend the rule of law and the principle of legality , ensuring that all actions of governments and institutions comply with the law and respect the rights of citizens. We promote the importance of having strong , independent and transparent institutions that guarantee due process and protect human rights. We believe in the effective implementation of checks and balances that prevent abuses of power and ensure accountability . We advocate for a liberal democracy based on respect for individual liberties, equality before the law and active participation of all in decision-making.

Peace

Peace is the ultimate goal that guides our work. At ipades, we understand that peace is not only the absence of conflict, but also the presence of fair conditions, where human rights are respected and the well-being of all people is promoted. We foster a comprehensive approach to peace that involves a strong rule of law that guarantees justice, citizen participation and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Liberty

At ipades, the Liberty is an inalienable right and fundamental to human development. We protect and promote individual liberties as indispensable pillars for achieving sustainable peace and progress. We believe that only in an environment where individual freedom is respected can societies prosper in equality and dignity.

Nonviolence and Conflict Transformation

Nonviolence is a key principle in our strategy to achieve peace. We reject the use of force and promote the transformation of conflicts into agreements and solutions as well as alternatives based on dialogue, mediation and peaceful negotiation. Our approach focuses on transforming tensions through processes of mutual understanding, respect and collaborative alliances, ensuring that human rights are protected at all times.

Solidarity

Solidarity is the foundation on which fairer and more inclusive societies are built. At ipades, we promote mutual support and cooperation between individuals and communities to face collective challenges. We believe that only through solidarity can the well-being of every citizen be guaranteed.

Impartiality

Impartiality is fundamental to our work. We remain impartial and objective in our actions, which allows us to analyze issues from different perspectives and promote equitable solutions that respect the rights of all actors involved. Impartiality strengthens our legitimacy and allows us to foster cooperation between diverse parties.

Social Audit

Transparency and accountability are central principles in our work. We believe in the importance of social auditing to ensure that decision-makers act responsibly and ethically. We foster a culture of accountability that reinforces public trust and the legitimacy of our actions vis-à-vis our communities and partners.

No Impunity

At ipades, we work actively to combat impunity, particularly in cases of serious human rights violations and cruel and inhuman treatment , such as war crimes and crimes against humanity . We believe in transitional and restorative justice , which seeks to recognize victims and hold perpetrators accountable, thereby ensuring a comprehensive process of reparation and reconciliation to achieve lasting peace.