Saying that the only way for the Americas to get ahead is by embracing globalization, President Oscar Arias inaugurated the Americas Conference, a business and political forum sponsored by The Miami Herald, in Miami, Florida Wednesday night, according to a statement from Casa Presidencial.

“Only if we open ourselves up will we be able to develop dynamic production sectors and create enough high-quality jobs for our youth,” Arias said.

Lauding Chile’s economic growth and development achieved by opening its markets to the rest of the world, Arias called for the rest of the region to adopt this attitude of globalization.

He attributed a worldwide decrease in poverty during the past two decades to India and China adopting globalization philosophies and opening new markets, the statement said.

Arias also emphasized the need for better education systems in Latin America, saying statistics show one in three young people in the region do not attend school. More investment in public education, as well as disarmament and demilitarization, are crucial for Latin America to get ahead, he said.

Arias, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, is back on his home soil today for Costa Rica’s Independence Day celebrations, but he will depart for the United States again tomorrow to attend Peace Jam in Denver, Colorado. The event, held by the nonprofit PeaceJam Foundation, brings together young people and Nobel Peace Prize winners to discuss issues such as violence and tolerance; Arias is attending as a guest of honor. 

-Tico Times