Fighting for Democracy and the Planet: Costa Rica's Case

Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, Cornell University

Former President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado Quesada, shares how conservation and sustainability are crucial for preserving democracy.

Statler Auditorium

<a href="https://einaudi.cornell.edu/discover/signature-events/bartels-world-affairs-lecture" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">E﻿inaudi Center Bartels World Affairs Lecture</a>Fighting for Democracy and the Planet: Costa Rica's CaseIn this year's Bartels lecture from the <a href="https://einaudi.cornell.edu/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies</a>, former president of Costa Rica Carlos Alvarado Quesada shares how conservation and sustainability are crucial for preserving democracy around the world.Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse spots on the planet, with more than one-quarter of the nation's land protected in parks and preserves. As Costa Rica's leader from 2018 to 2022, Alvarado proposed a challenge for his country and the world: to make Costa Rica a decarbonized nation by 2050.During his visit to Cornell, Alvarado shares some of the questions that guided his administration: What roles do democracy and governance play in shaping environmental policies at the local, national, and global levels? And how can we meet the basic needs of the world’s ever-growing human population—equitably and democratically—without sacrificing the health of the planet and its other inhabitants?A reception with refreshments will follow the lecture.<ul><li>Lecture: 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Alice Statler Auditorium</li><li>Reception: 7:30–8:30 p.m. | Park Atrium</li></ul>***How did President Alvarado's policies protect Costa Rica's environment? <a href="https://einaudi.cornell.edu/discover/news/bartels-2023-explainer" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Read a Bartels explainer</a> by the Lab of O's Viviana Ruiz-Gutierrez.*﻿**About Carlos Alvarado Quesada<a href="https://facultyprofiles.tufts.edu/carlos-alvaradoquesada" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Carlos Alvarado Quesada</a> was Costa Rica's 48th president, serving from 2018 until 2022. He was Costa Rica's youngest president in a century, taking office at age 38. Representing the Citizens' Action Party (PAC), Alvarado previously served as minister of labor and social security.Alvarado received the 2022 Planetary Leadership Award from the National Geographic Society for his commitment and action to protect the ocean. He accepted on behalf of his country the 2019 Champion of the Earth Award, the United Nations' highest environmental honor.A writer and political scientist, Alvarado is currently Professor of Practice of Diplomacy at Tufts University's Fletcher School in Massachusetts.*﻿**About the Bartels World Affairs LectureThe <a href="https://einaudi.cornell.edu/discover/signature-events/bartels-world-affairs-lecture" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Bartels World Affairs Lecture</a> is a signature event of the <a href="https://einaudi.cornell.edu/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies</a>. Part of Einaudi's work on <a href="https://einaudi.cornell.edu/research/global-research-priorities/democratic-threats-and-resilience" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">democratic threats and resilience</a>, this year's lecture is cosponsored by Einaudi's <a href="https://einaudi.cornell.edu/programs/latin-american-and-caribbean-studies" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program</a>.The Einaudi Center’s flagship event brings distinguished international figures to campus each academic year to speak on global topics and meet with Cornell faculty and students, particularly undergraduates. The lecture and related events are made possible by the generosity of Henry E. Bartels ’48 and Nancy Horton Bartels ’48.***About the Mario Einaudi Center for International StudiesThe <a href="https://einaudi.cornell.edu/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies</a> is Cornell’s hub for campus engagement and global thinking and action. The Einaudi Center has helped students and scholars cross borders of language, culture, nationality, and academic discipline for 60 years. The center organizes, stimulates, and supports research, teaching, and outreach programs and activities to enhance graduate and undergraduate education and to prepare Cornellians to contribute in the international sphere.

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