Conflicts in developing countries cannot be resolved indefinitely by international intervention. Education capacities must be strengthened within the developing countries to produce the expertise required, and it is the specific role of the University for Peace to facilitate this process.

The overall academic programmes of UPEACE include the following components:

• Teaching a diverse multicultural group of students at its main campus in Costa Rica
• Teaching similar courses, adapted to local cultures and conditions at other locations
• Disseminating course materials to partner universities for them to teach and developing and offering distance education and continuing education programmes.

The courses are not only adapted to graduate students but also to mid-career professionals, leaders of civil society, business, the military, etc.

UPEACE is extending its operations to various parts of the world.