Unesco Geoparks...

 

What is this?

Index

 

 

Global UNESCO Network of Geoparks

According to national and international initiatives, like the “International Declaration of the Rights of the Memories of the Earth” (Digne, France 1991), the IGCP, IUGS, ProGeo, Malvern Group, UNESCO’s Division of Earth Sciences and the Council of Europe, an international group of experts on Geoparks recommended the establishment of a “Global Network of National Geological Parks (Geoparks) seeking UNESCO’s assistance” in order to promote the three goals of conserving a healthy environment, educating in Earth Sciences at large, and fostering sustainable economical local development.

In February 2004 the UNESCO international group of experts assembled in Paris where the following items were discussed and decided:

a) the establishment of a Global UNESCO Network of Geoparks

b) the acceptance of the Operational Guidelines for application on the global Network.

It was also decided that the existing 17 European Geoparks and 8 new Chinese Geoparks be included in the Global UNESCO Network of Geoparks.

As a result the “First International Conference on Geoparks” was held in Beijing, China from 27 to 29 June 2004, in order to promote the establishment of a worldwide network of national Geoparks with the contributions from the international governmental and non-governmental community.

In October 2004 during the 5th European Geoparks Meeting held in Petralia Sottana, Madonie Geopark, a new agreement between the Division of Earth Sciences of UNESCO and the European Geoparks Network was officially signed.

According to this agreement: ”A European territory wishing to become a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Geoparks must submit a full application dossier to the European Geoparks Network, which acts as the integration organisation into the UNESCO Network for the European continent.

The Division of Earth Sciences of UNESCO recognises that the European Geoparks Network is the reference to follow for the creation of other continental networks of geoparks.”

Madonie Declaration - 21.5Kb

The foundation of the Unesco Network of Geoparks

On Friday 13 February 2004 a meeting on geoparks was held in UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. In the meeting participated members of the Scientific Board of the IGCP, representatives of the International Geographical Union (IGU) and the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), and international experts on geological heritage conservation and promotion. The following items have been discussed and decided :

  1. Presentation and establishment of the “Operational Guidelines for National Geoparks seeking UNESCO’s assistance” (Global UNESCO Network of Geoparks)
  2. The establishment of a Global UNESCO Network of Geoparks.
  3. The foundation of a Coordination Office for the Global UNESCO Network of Geoparks at the Ministry of Land and Resources in Beijing China.
  4. New geoparks are invited to send their application respecting guidelines and criteria upon to UNESCO’s Division of Earth Sciences, that will forward it to the International Advisory Group.
  5. If there is a Geopark network on a national level existing, the applicant geopark has to be first member of this network.
  6. For Europe the already established cooperation agreement between UNESCO’s Division of Earth Sciences and the European Geoparks Network,  shall serve as  the mechanism  for integration  national  Geoparks through the label of European Geoparks into the global UNESCO  Network.
  7. The Division of Earth Sciences is encouraged to confirm or initiate agreements at a regional (continental) level using the cooperation agreement with the EGN as an example.

During a closed meeting of the International Advisory Group of Experts the evaluation of the existing geoparks took place. It was decided to include 17 European Geoparks and 8 Chinese Geoparks in the Global UNESCO Network of Geoparks . Actually the members of the Global Network of Geoparks are:

1. Mount Lushan Geopark - PR China

2. Geopark Wudalianchi - PR China

3. Songshan Geopark - PR China

4. Yuntaishan Geopark - PR China

5. Danxiashan Geopark - PR China

6. Stone Forest Geopark – Shilin Geopark - PR China

7. Zhangjiajie Sandstone Peak Forest Geopark - PR China

8. Huangshan Geopark - PR China

9. Reserve Géologique de Haute Provence – France

10. Petrified Forest of Lesvos – Greece

11. Vulkaneifel European Geopark – Germany

12. Maestrazgo Cultural Park – Spain

13. Psiloritis Natural Park – Greece

14. Astroblème Châtaigeraie Limousine - France

15. Nature park Terra Vita European Geopark – Germany

16. Coper Coast – Ireland

17. Marble Arch Caves & Cuilcagh Mountain Park – Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

18. Madonie Natural Park – Italy

19. Rocca di Cerere Cultural Park - Italy

20. Kamptal Geopark – Austria

21. Nature Park Eisenwurzen – Austria

22.European Geopark Bergstrasse–Odenwald - Germany

23. North Pennines AONB  Geopark – United Kingdom

24. Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark – United Kingdom

25. Park Naturel Régional du Luberon – France

26. North West Highlands – Scotland, UK

27. Geopark Swabian Albs – Germany

28. Geopark Harz Braunschweiger Land Ostfalen – Germany

29. Mecklenburg Ice age Park - Germany

30. Xingwen National geopark– P.R. China

31. Hexigten National geopark– P.R. China

32. Yandangshan National geopark– P.R. China

33. Taining National geopark– P.R. China

 

International promotion of the European Geopark Network

in the 1st International Conference on Geoparks

organized by UNESCO in Beijing, 27-29 June 2004

 

The European Geopark Network with its integration in the Global Geoparks Network of UNESCO is recognized henceforth by the international community as an organization of great contribution on natural heritage and sustainable development issues.

In a special festive ceremony that was organized in the frames of the 1st International Conference on Geoparks, the Under-secretary of UNESCO Dr. W. Erdelen and the Minister of Earth and Natural Resources of China Sun Wengsheng, delivered in the representatives of the 25 Geoparks a special plaque for their integration in the Global Geoparks Network (17 from Europe and 8 from China).

1st International Exhibition on Geoparks

Along with the Conference on Geoparks, a great exhibition was organized in which participated with kiosks the 8 Chinese Geoparks and a number of the members of the European Geoparks Network, the 44 National Geological Parks of China as well as more geological parks from various countries. The exhibition inaugurated by the Vice Minister of Natural Resources of China Mrs Shou Jiahua who visited the kiosks of EGN with the General Secretary of Natural Sciences of UNESCO, Dr.W. Erdelen, and were informed for the priceless value of geological heritage and for Networks efforts for conservation and promotion.

Great Publicity for Geoparks

The conference was a major publicity event and met with great publicity since newspapers with wide circulation such as (Popular Daily, China Daily (English)) dedicated full-page articles on Geoparks in the occasion of the Conference.

Positive Approach towards Geoparks

“The protection and the conservation of geological heritage, which testifies the geotectonic evaluation of our planet, requires the collaboration of international organisms, governments, universities and inquiring institutes, museums but also the activation of local institutions and not governmental organizations” was stressed by W. Eder, Director of Earth Sciences of UNESCO, who made the official presentation of the 25 members of the Global Network. “The role of UNESCO is to develop rules of moral behavior in earth sciences in world scale and to contribute in the effective management of natural environment. We hope that the new idea of creation of Global Geoparks Network will be adopted in future, afterwards Europe and China, from more countries in order for the network to be developed further”. 

China’s View

“Geoparks promote science, improve lines”. Development and utilization of geosite resources help people learn about geology and local customs, hence promoting the development of regional culture, said Jiang Jianjun, director – general of the Ministry’s Department of Geological Environment. (China Daily, Monday June 28, 2004)

“Conference calls for joint safeguarding efforts”. Among the 25 world geoparks China tops the list with eight such geoparks. Following China are Germany and Britain with three. Austria, France, Greece, Italy and Spain have two world geoparks and Ireland has one. (China Daily, Monday June 28, 2004)

“Commonly understood words make science popular”. Geoparks called an effective way to spread knowledge of Earth, geology. Experts need to make additional efforts to use simple words in explaining science, to allow common people easier access to what is sometimes difficult and technical information, said Zhang Jianping, a professor in the China University of Geosciences. (China Daily, Tuesday June 29, 2004)

“Geoparks reflect Earth’s heritage, beauty”.  People area really bored with just seeing rocks and mountains, said Wu Fadong – of the China University of Geosciences. They want to know something more and the scientific perspective will add the weight of the landscape in the heart of tourists. (China Daily, Tuesday June 29, 2004)

“World Network ready to open office in Beijing”. The office of the World Geopark Network will announce its official establishment in June in Beijing as a tribute to the inauguration of the First International Conference on Geoparks. The Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR) will take charge of the branch.