Since abolishing its army in 1948, Costa Rica has prioritized healthcare, education, conservation, and sustainability. As a result, despite a modest per capita income, it has a high human development index and a relatively low ecological footprint (one quarter of Canada’s). By some measures, it may also be the happiest country in the world.

During this course, students will learn how this came about while exploring concrete sustainability initiatives in areas related to education, environmental ethics, food production, forest conservation, and energy while also examining current challenges related to transportation, democracy, migration, and poverty. In so doing, students will gain insights into how more just, sustainable, and peaceful societies might be created in practice.