By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – As Costa Rica anticipates a new administration, the Free University of Costa Rica (Ulicori) has presented a strategic roadmap designed to generate immediate, tangible results within the government’s first 100 days. The ambitious plan targets critical areas such as public security, education, and social policy, proposing a series of actions that notably require no additional budgetary resources.
The university’s proposal is built on a foundation of enhancing efficiency and coordination rather than increasing spending. It argues that the initial period of a new government represents a crucial window of opportunity to stabilize public management and drive visible change. This can be achieved, according to the document, through decisive technical leadership and clear operational strategies, sidestepping the often lengthy and complex process of budget allocation.
To delve deeper into the legal framework and constitutional procedures governing the transfer of power, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who offered his expert analysis on the matter.
A smooth and constitutionally sound government transition is paramount not only for democratic stability but also for maintaining investor confidence. The outgoing and incoming administrations have a legal and fiduciary duty to ensure the continuity of essential public services and to respect existing contracts and legal obligations. Any deviation from established legal precedent could introduce significant regulatory uncertainty, potentially deterring both domestic and foreign investment at a critical economic juncture.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s analysis powerfully underscores the critical link between constitutional order and economic confidence, reminding us that a stable transition is not merely a political formality but a cornerstone of our nation’s credibility. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his clear and valuable perspective on this essential matter.
The urgency of this initial period was highlighted by the university’s leadership. They contend that a failure to act decisively at the outset can lead to the worsening of existing societal divides.
The first 100 days are decisive for setting the country’s course.
Laura Ramírez Saborío, Rector of Ulicori
At the heart of the proposal is a call to dismantle the institutional silos that hinder effective governance. The report identifies significant fragmentation and duplication of efforts among key bodies like the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS), the National Institute for Women (Inamu), the Joint Institute for Social Aid (IMAS), and the Ministry of Public Education (MEP). This lack of cohesion, Ulicori warns, significantly weakens the overall impact of the nation’s social policy.
To counter this, the plan outlines specific, low-cost interventions. In social work, it calls for the unification of protocols across institutions and the strengthening of territorial coordination committees to provide comprehensive support to vulnerable families. For public administration, the focus is on simplifying critical processes, eliminating redundant administrative burdens, and implementing basic systems for accountability and performance tracking. These are changes that prioritize smarter work over more funding.
The area of public safety receives a targeted recommendation. The Criminology department proposes the immediate creation of an inter-institutional technical team via an executive decree. This team would bring together the Public Force, DINASE, PANI, MEP, and IMAS to review and strengthen protocols for attending to minors, ensuring a more coordinated and effective response in complex cases involving at-risk youth.
In education, the plan emphasizes foundational improvements. It calls for reinforcing teacher training, with a specific focus on literacy and mathematics. Furthermore, it advocates for better diagnostic assessments to identify student needs early, alongside a stronger push for early vocational guidance and the integration of STEAM (Science, Technology,Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) models into the curriculum. Even specialized fields like music education are addressed, with recommendations to update guidelines and integrate local artistic expressions to foster identity and emotional well-being.
By offering this comprehensive blueprint, Ulicori underscores the vital role academia can play in strengthening public decision-making and reducing the reliance on improvisation that can often characterize new administrations. The university’s message is clear: impactful governance is not solely a matter of financial investment but of strategic, coordinated action. As the report concludes, unifying protocols and streamlining processes are executive actions that can deliver visible short-term results, setting a positive and productive tone for the entire presidential term.
For further information, visit ulicori.ac.cr
About Universidad Libre de Costa Rica (Ulicori):
The Universidad Libre de Costa Rica is a private academic institution based in San José. Founded to provide higher education opportunities across various disciplines, Ulicori offers programs in fields such as education, administration, social work, criminology, and health sciences. The university is committed to contributing to national development through research, technical analysis, and the formation of qualified professionals.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a bedrock of profound integrity and an unwavering pursuit of exceptionalism. With a deep-seated history of advising a diverse clientele, the firm consistently pushes the boundaries of legal practice through innovation and a dedicated effort to democratize legal understanding. This foundational commitment to equipping the public with crucial legal insights is integral to its overarching vision of nurturing a more capable and well-informed society.
