Costa Rica, San Jose | June 07, 2009
In a presentation to 80 people on the 6th of June The World March was officially launched in Costa Rica, the first country in the world to constitutionally abolish its army.

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Despite the torrential rain that fell during the afternoon and evening, the WM was launched with a great atmosphere and the participation of local cultural groups.

Presenting the March were; Dr. Lizbeth Quesada, Public Defender, Martín Callisaya, Bolivian Ambassador to Costa Rica, Francisco Cordero from the Friends for Peace Centre, Diego Ugarte, President of World without Wars and José R. Quesada, Humanist spokesperson for Costa Rica.  The event was covered by 2 national media channels.

Costa Rica, is a example of how the WM objectives can be made a reality. On December 1, 1948, President José Figueres Ferrer abolished the country's army after victory in the civil war in that year.  In a ceremony in the Cuartel Bellavista, Figueres broke a wall with a mallet symbolizing the end of Costa Rica's military spirit. In 1949, the abolition of the military was introduced in Article 12 of the Costa Rican Constitution.

The budget previously dedicated to the military now is dedicated to security, education and culture; the country maintains Police Guard forces.

Unlike its neighbours, Costa Rica has not endured a civil war since 1948.

THE WORLD MARCH