A.M. Costas Rica graphic Lawmakers want to set rules for nation's driving schools By the A.M. Costa Rica staff Lawmakers will look at driving schools in an effort to inject regulation into what takes place. The proposal comes from Guyon Massey of Restoración Nacional and other members of the Asamblea Legislativa. A bill would set minimum requirements for driving schools. In addition, a registration requirement would create a list of driving schools so that officials would know how many schools are operating in the country. Expats who come to Costa Rica with a valid license from their home country have no problem is getting a Costa Rican license by simply visiting a license bureau with a medical certificate and the valid license. Costa Ricans and others who do not already have a valid license must take extensive coursework and then take practical training. The Ministerio de Obras Públicas provides a test of the coursework and later a practical test on the road with an evaluator. Some would-be motorists have been known to circumvent this procedure with well-placed gifts. Those who are seeking the license legally and from scratch must spend time in the classroom, although some schools offer training via the Internet. Behind-the-wheel training also is offered by some schools and can run several hundred dollars. Massy said that now schools have no supervision. His bill would provide that and also provide minimum requirements for vehicles used by the schools to teach drivers. The goal would be to reduce the slaughter on the highways. Massey said that he wants to create a culture that would first eliminate the bad habits of instructors and then work on safe handling of vehicles. The curriculum would be subject to review.

Christian books are sought
for prison inmates here


Christian Library International is currently hosting a Christian book drive for prison inmates in Costa Rica, ending on Dec. 30.  The organization said it is looking for all forms of Christian literature, from Bibles and Bible studies to Christian fiction and biographies, in both English and Spanish.  Donors can drop off books at the Escazú Christian Fellowship and the Lexicon Lending Library in San Rafael de Escazú.

Christian Library International has been working primarily with prisons in the United States since 2002 and plans to move about 100,000 books this year, according to the founder and missions director, Anders Skaar. He said of his goal:  “We'd like to get a million books, but we need a million donated first.”

This mission project is the organization's first in Costa Rica and, if it is a success, Skaar said he would like to make this a regularly scheduled activity, perhaps annually or maybe even twice a year.

Kathleen Skaar, executive director said the organization started getting lots of letters from inmates about how much getting a book meant to them and how their lives had changed. "We hope and pray that the same thing will happen in Costa Rica, that it will be a need that everyone will appreciate,” she said.

New U.N. campaign seeks
more laws protecting women


The U.N. Development Fund for Women has launched a new advocacy campaign to end violence against women. The fund has recruited Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman to help promote the campaign, which is an Internet-based initiative that asks people to sign a "virtual book" that promotes women's rights.

The U.N. Fund says violence against women is the most pervasive human rights violation around the world. Women are subjected to domestic violence, trafficked across borders, and the victims of systematic rape in conflict zones, the international organization said.

The United Nations said it estimates that one in three women will be a victim of violence in her lifetime. The Development Fund for Women seeks to bring global attention to the issue and promote gender equality.

At a news conference, Ms. Kidman said she was proud to serve as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Fund. She says the new Internet campaign called "Say No to Violence Against Women," will increase global awareness of the issue.

"We know that violence against women is a problem, but we know there is also a solution," said Ms. Kidman.

Joanne Sandler, the acting executive director of the U.N. Development Fund for Women, said a growing number of organizations and governments are taking steps to end violence against women and have also pledged their support for the new internet campaign and Web site, www.saynotoviolence.org.

Ms. Sandler says the Web site will serve as a source of information on the issue. She says the virtual book will amplify the number of voices urging governments to take serious steps to end violence against women.

Ms. Sandler says at least 89 countries now have laws on domestic violence. But, this means more than 200 nations have no such protections.

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