Rarely can you witness a public relations campaign that changes a country’s legislation and actively involves more than a third of its population. This is one of them.We started off with a campaign that included graffiti, brochures, and some mass media. The intention was to wake up people to the reality that Costa Rica lived under the laws of fear. This struck the entire nation; demonstrations began taking place. Organisations got together to protect the families of crime victims. The voice of twenty four rock bands could be heard through a series of concerts all over the country. Art exhibits with famous painters, photographers, musicians, and poets toured the nation. Their work was shared with everyone who entered the Bring Back Peace site. By the end, we accomplished our objectives: the government reformed Costa Rica’s Criminal Law; in a country of 4.5 million - the "Bring Back Peace" registered 1.5 million clicks in only one month; and most important, crime rates began to decrease.

Stage 1. Up to the Head (The Authorities). Everything began when we launched the message “We live under the laws of the criminals”. The message was embraced by the media and it brought people to demand the right for peace in such manner that the government signed the "Bring Back Peace" Bill.

Stage 2. Straight to the Heart (The Artists). To involve the younger crowd (crucial in every social movement) we invited local and international artists, to donate their work to the Bring Back Peace cause. Their artwork could be downloaded for free from the Bring back Peace website. In only one month, the site registered 1.5 million clicks, an impressive figure considering the country has 4.5 million people. Stage 3. Down to the Body (The People).Finally, we inaugurated a series of exhibit where the lives of 15 crime victims were showcased. These claimed the respect for life as the central principle to bringing back peace. The most important exhibit took place in Costa Rica’s National Gallery. The exhibits are still touring the nation.

A year after the government signed the Bring Back Peace bill:- The budget for security increased 80%- The law to protect victims and witnesses was approved to combat retaliation- Criminal sentences, for criminals caught red-handed are now decided immediately. Sentencing used to take two years- A new traffic law was approved mandating for the first time that a drunk driver be sent to jail after killing someone- During the first “Bring Back the Peace” march, the Victims’ Family Relatives Association was formed to support the victims- 14 out of the 15 cases presented in “The Value of Life” exhibit were brought to investigation- The laws against terrorism and organized crime are about to be approved- At all times the campaign received free support from the media and from all parties involved- The Government, which initially distanced itself from the campaign, in the end supported and recognized its contribution towards the solution of the problem.- And the most important accomplishment: a year ago… there was nothing.