The Ombuds Blog: Ombuds Returns to University for Peace

August 11, 2026

Ombuds Returns to University for Peace

UPEACE, the United Nations-affiliated university in Costa Rica, has reappointed Kathya Araya as its Ombudsperson. Araya previously served in the role from 2020 to 2022 and returns to the position following a search launched earlier this year. The Ombudsperson provides confidential guidance to students, staff, visiting faculty and scholars, interns, consultants, contractors, and others covered by university policies, with responsibilities including the prevention and resolution of prohibited conduct.

Araya is a Costa Rican attorney with more than 30 years of experience in ethics, governance, institutional accountability, and public law. Before returning to UPEACE, she served as Compliance Review Coordinator at the Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism of the Inter-American Development Bank, where she led independent compliance investigations involving projects across Latin America. She holds an LL.M. from the University of Houston Law Center and a law degree and specialization in Public Law from the University of Costa Rica. (UPEACE Ombuds.)

1 comment:

Anonymous8/11/2026 4:51 PM
Mazel tov!
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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany/Austria -- Ombudspersonen and Ombudsleute

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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