International Intensive Course
on UNESCO Global Geoparks

HOSTED & DELIVERED BY:

• UNIVERSITY OF THE AEGEAN
• NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF THE LESVOS PETRIFIED FOREST

CO-ORGANIZERS:

• UNESCO Natural Sciences Sector
• Global Geoparks Network

SUPPORTERS:

• GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF AEGEAN AND ISLAND POLICY
• REGION OF NORTH AEGEAN
• UNIVERSITY OF THE AEGEAN
• NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF THE LESVOS PETRIFIED FOREST

Registration deadline: May 15^th, 2019

Invitation

UNESCO and the Global Geoparks Network are co-organizing the 11th session of the International Intensive Course on Geoparks 2019 “UNESCO Global Geoparks and Climate Change Adaptation and Geo-hazard Risk Mitigation case studies”. 

The Course is hosted and delivered by the University of the Aegean – Department of Geography and the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest at Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geopark, North Aegean Region, Greece, one of the first Global Geoparks in the world.

The Course will take place from 31^st May to 10^th June, 2019.

The Intensive Course on Geoparks 2019 aims to focus on the UNESCO Global Geoparks building and management as well as on their contribution on shared and sustainable outcomes related to climate change adaptation and  natural disaster mitigation.

Through the Intensive Course on Geoparks 2019, attendees will have the opportunity to widen their knowledge and expertise on UNESCO Global Geoparks building and management as tools for sustainable development,  to cooperate with different disciplines and countries as well as on Geopark activities and contribution on climate change adaptation and natural disaster mitigation for local communities

The Intensive Course on Geoparks 2019 comprises of theoretical background together with extensive fieldwork.

Those who are interested in participating in the course are invited to submit the respective application form accompanied by a short CV and an abstract (one page) of their presentation, which they will present during the Course.

ECTS Credits
Participants will gain 5 ECTS credits after successful completion of the Intensive course on Geoparks.

Application deadline: May 15th, 2019

Intensive course main topics

• UNESCO Global Geoparks
• Global Geoparks Network
• Global Geopark – Evaluation and revalidation procedures
• Aspiring Geoparks and Geopark building
• Learning from past geological disasters in Geoparks
• Geoparks: Records of past climate change and educators on current climate change
• Geoparks: Managing disaster and climate risk
• Global Geoparks Network Working Group on Geo-Hazards: Preparing disaster mitigation strategies
• Geoparks : geo-tourism development in geological active areas
• Geoparks and Education: Raising awareness on disaster risk reduction and climate change
• Geoparks and local communities: Promote awareness of geological hazards

Information on the Course

Language:                        English

Participation:                  30 – 40 Geoparks staff members, PhD and Master students and graduates.

Venue:

University of the Aegean – Faculty of Geography, Mytilini

Natural History Museum of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos, Sigri

Access:                            All participants will be welcomed at Mytilini airport or port.

Transportation from Mytilini airport and Mytilini port to the Course and the hotel by coaches will be arranged

The course is taught in English. The program includes lectures, workshops, in-course presentations, field work, group work and a final participant presentation.

The Intensive Course is framed by social events and possibilities of enjoying the gorgeous physical and cultural landscape of Lesvos Geopark, combining excellent learning and recreation opportunities.

Target Groups

The course is open to Geopark staff members, geoscientists, local development professionals and students involved in geo-education in relation with geo-conservation, popularization of Earth sciences, geopark management, geotourism and sustainable development of rural areas.

Teaching methods

The Intensive Course on Geoparks 2019 comprises of theoretical background together with extensive fieldwork.

The main activities of the Course include:

• pre-lectures activities which will take place through e-class and distribution of the latest documents regarding Geoparks building and Earth Heritage Management,
• 11 days – 80 hours ‘hands on programme’ distributed as following: 40 hours lectures by top UNESCO and Global Geoparks Network experts, as well as specialists in Earth heritage management in theory and practice and 40 hours field training and activities.
• an Activity Report, long distance assisted work, which shall take place after the end of the course.

Lectures will be given by geoparks experts and academic staff with long experience on geoparks, sustainable tourism and geoheritage management.