Celebration of International Disaster Risk Reduction Day 2017 by European Geoparks

The following (till present, because several others confirmed their participation too) European and UNESCO Global Geoparks have provided information regarding their participation in the common event:

1. Psiloritis UGG, Greece

Title of the event which is coorganised with the Anogia Environmental Education Center, the Natural History Museum and the local schools is “Discussing with pupils from Anogia about Nature induced risks and measures to reduce disaster risk” and it will take place on the 13th October 2017, at Anogia, Crete, Greece. (https://www.facebook.com/PsiloritisNaturalPark/)

Two talks will be given by Dr C. Fassoulas about “Nature and Climate change induced Hazards”, for the High school and general public, as well as for primary school pupils, whereas pupils will present their projects, based on the RACCE museum kit, regarding the risks, past disasters and risk mitigation examples in geopark (by the High School and Gymnasium) and their drawings and constructions (by the primary school).

Info: (https://www.facebook.com/PsiloritisNaturalPark/) and mail@kpe-anog.reth.sch.gr

2. Lesvos UGG, Greece

Lesvos UGG is launching a new program for schools titled “Experiential educational program & simulation of major earthquakes for students for the reduction of the seismic hazard” on the occasion of the celebration of the International Disaster Risk Reduction Day on the 13^th of October.

Activities will take place at Lesvos Petrified Forest Museum at SIgri, Lesvos, on the 13/10/2017. An experiential educational activity of simulating large and destructive earthquakes occurred in several places around the world and implementation of the protection measures will take place at the earthquake simulator, while a special temporary exhibition as an educational and sensitization journey on prevention and management of the seismic hazard will occur at its premises in Sigri.

Info: www.lesvosmuseum.gr and lesvospf@otenet.gr

3. Cilento and Vallo di Diano Geopark, Italy

Cilento and Vallo di Diano Geopark will organize, on 13th of October 2017 a meeting in high school  with the experts of Cilento and Vallo di Diano Geoparks, of National Geological Survey and of University.

The title of event is “Innovative approaches for raise public awareness on geohazards, climate changes and sustainable uses of geo-resources” and will take place at a high school in Vallo della Lucania, the Liceo Scientifico “Leonardo da Vinci”.

Contact: a.aloia@cilentoediano.it

 

4. Ore of the Alps UGG, Austria

Ore of the Alps UGG will take advantage of the celebration of the “50 Years Department of Geology in Salzburg” and on the 13 October 2017 will prepare a special talk.

The lecture will be given by Dr. Horst Ibetsberger under the title “UNESCO Geoparks, with regards to the rockfall in the Liechtensteinklamm. The venue will be at the University of Salzburg,  (5020 Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34), on 13th of Oct. 2017 13:15. Link about the rockfall in the Liechtensteinklamm: http://www.grossarltal.info/en/summer/nature-culture/liechtenstein-gorge.html

Contact: horst.ibetsberger@geoglobe.at

5. Polino UGG, Italy

Pollino UGG is going to organize a working day titled “Foreseing, preventing and mitigating the risks in the territory of Pollino Geopark”.

During the International Day for Disaster Reduction, on 13th october 2017, the Pollino Geopark will promote a day of work with all authorities (Universities, “civil protection”, etc.)   that operate for the knowledge, the prediction and the prevention of the risk at the territory of the geopark, in order to discuss and to plan common actions to develop. In particular, will talk about the actions to be taken regarding the hydrogeological risk (also following the extensive fires occurring the last summer), the seismic risk and environmental risks (pollution of waters, etc).

Contact: luigi.bloise@parcopollino.gov.it

6. Haute Provence UGG, France

Haute Provence UGG will participate to the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction by having activities in the school of Barras and Mirabeau villages (Alpes de Haute-Provence, France).

The pupils (8-10 years old) will attempt an educational workshop called “Understanding earthquakes for better acting : before, during and after” with the UGHP education officer, using tan appropriate educational case dedicated to natural hazards, particularly earthquakes, volcanism eruptions and tsunamis (RACCE Program).

During the following next two months, the teachers will use the educational material to increase awareness of the children who will finally teach their parents and friends through a poster exhibition.

Contact: mj.soncini@yahoo.fr

 

7. Apuan Alps UGG., Italy

Apuan Alps Geopark is going to organize for 13^th October 2017 the 13th of October, an activity under the title “Words written by the rain” in the secondary school “Instituto comprensivo Martiri di Sant’Anna” in Ponte Stazzemese (Lucca) with the participation of about 40 pupils living in the area of the 1996 flood.

The activity will concern the presentation of the project “Rains and Ruins” aimed at raising the awareness of young generations in understanding of natural processes and hazards, with all its material and immaterial activities (educational exhibition, catalogue, videos) and a short lesson about the hydrogeological risk

Contact: aamorfini@parcapuane.it

8. Beigua UGG, Italy

During the International Day for Disaster Reduction, on 13th October 2017, Beigua UNESCO Global Geopark is going to promote with local schools an event to remember the 40^th anniversary of the dreadful flood which affected the Rossiglione Municipality on 6th October 1977. The event has been organized in collaboration with all local Authorities and local civil protection volunteers and will involve children of the primary school and teenagers of high school of Rossiglione.

The students will visit the place where the flood occurred and will receive information not only about the causes of the flood but also on national and local policy about the reduction of natural hazards . At the end of the visit, the students will move to the cinema in the Municipality of Rossiglione to watch original videos and photos about the flood on 1997 and to listen some testimonies by the older local people who experienced the natural disaster in 1977.

Contact: direttore@parcobeigua.it

 

9. Sitia UGG, Greece

Sitia UGG with the collaboration of Fire brigade of Sitia and the volunteer group of EDEAK will organize experiential and information actions on the 13^th October 2017 in two local schools related with natural disasters, mitigation measures, and evacuation drills for the cases of earthquake and fire.

Contact: perakisv@sitia.gr

 

10. Gea Norvegica UGG, Norway

For Norway the 13^th of October is a period for school vacations and thus not proper for raising awareness for pupils. For that reason, geopark organized instead of the 13/10, a series of lessons at local schools on the 4^th October 2017 related with the flooding risk. For next year, geopark is collaborating with the Norwegian Hydrological Council for developing a school program related with flooding and connected problems.

Contact: kristin.rangnes@geanor.no

 

11. Sesia Val Grande UGG, Italy

Sessia Val Grande geopark organizes three open-air events for the week end of the of October 13th (it is the last “summer” week end). It has been thus decided to have a dedicated introduction to each event about Natural Disasters where to stress the importance of risk reduction on natural hazard etc.

Contact: presidente@sesiavalgrandegeopark.it.