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.”
The foundation of the Unesco Network of GeoparksOn 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 :
Presentation and establishment of the “Operational Guidelines for National Geoparks seeking UNESCO’s assistance” (Global UNESCO Network of Geoparks)
The establishment of a Global UNESCO Network of Geoparks.
The foundation of a Coordination Office for the Global UNESCO Network of Geoparks at the Ministry of Land and Resources in Beijing China.
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.
If there is a Geopark network on a national level existing, the applicant geopark has to be first member of this network.
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.
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 .
Members of the Global Network of Geoparks (November 2007)
57 National Geoparks (33 European, 20 Chinese, 1
Network Members:
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.
7.
8. Huangshan Geopark - PR China
9. Reserve Géologique de Haute Provence – France http://www.resgeol04.org/
10.
11. Vulkaneifel European Geopark – Germany http://www.geopark-vulkaneifel.de/
12. Maestrazgo Cultural Park – Spain
13. Psiloritis Natural Park – Greece http://www.psiloritis.net.gr/
14. Nature park Terra Vita European Geopark – Germany
15.
16.
17. Madonie Natural Park – Italy http://www.parcodellemadonie.it
18. Kamptal Geopark – Austria www.krahuletzmuseum.at
19. Nature Park Eisenwurzen – Austria http://www.geoline.at/
20.European Geopark Bergstrasse–Odenwald - Germany www.geo-naturpark.de
21. North
22. Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark –
23. Park Naturel Régional du Luberon – France
24. North West Highlands –
25. Geopark Swabian Albs –
26. Geopark Harz Braunschweiger Land Ostfalen – Germany
27.
28. Xingwen National geopark– P.R. China
29. Hexigten National geopark– P.R. China
30. Yandangshan National geopark– P.R. China
31. Taining National geopark– P.R. China
32. Hateg Country Dinosaur Geopark -
33. Parco del Beigua -
34. Fforest Fawr Geopark -
35. Bohemian
36.
37. Subeticas Geopark -
38. Sobrarbe Geopark -
39. Cabo de Gata -
40. Naturtejo Geopark -
41. Gea-Norvegica -
42. Araripe Geopark –
43. Fangshan Geopark -
44. Leiqiong Geopark (
45. Funiushan Geopark (
46. Wangwushan-Daimeishan Geopark an Province, P.R. China (September 2006)
47. Jingpohu Geopark -
48. Taishan Geopark -
49. Geological, Mining Park of Sardinia –
50. Papuk Geopark –
51. Lochaber Geopark – Scotland UK (April 2007)
52. Langkawi Geopark –
53. English
54. Longhushan Geopark - P.R. China (November 2007)
55. Zizong Geopark – P.R.China (January 2008)
56. Adamello Brenda Geopark – Italy (April 2008)
57. Kanawinka Geopark – Australia (June 2008)
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.
2nd International Conference on Geoparks
organized by UNESCO in Belfast, September 2006
The 2nd Global Geoparks Conference was held in Belfast in September 2006. The conference was successful and had a high number of participants. The meeting provided delegates with the opportunity to discuss and assimilate new ideas which they could use to develop their own territories. However, aspirations are not fulfilled at conferences. It is essential that we consider the origins of our Europaen Geoparks Network in order to define how we progress in the future.
The origin of European Geoparks Network began in 1998. Discussions were initiated between the Reserve Geologique de Haute Provence, Gerolstein and Vulkaneifel G. Martini to exrlore the potential for collaboration in an innovative project designed to create a European Geoparks Network. The Greek Lesvos Petrified Forest and the Spanish Cultural Park of Maestrazgo also participated in this process. This new and exciting concept, namely the creation of a European Geoparks Network, was based on the view that the "in situ memory of landscape which every inhabitant of a region has" can be used to secure the future through the development of "geo and economic / tourism". The success of the project is a tribute to the creativity, patience, strength and enthusiasm of members within a growing network to work together with a common aim. This is crearly reflected by the continued growth of the EGN and the EGN and the success of the Belfast conference.
The conference demonstrated the need for communication between politicians, tourist providers, economic consultants and geoscientists. It was a pleasure to discuss ideas and share practical experiences with colleagues from participating geoparks and to consider the diverse views expressed on the future development of the Geopark concept raised in oral presentation and in workshop discussions. Many of us benefited by discussing, in a wider forum, and ideas concerning geological heritage arising from the managment strategies of Geoparks and of existing World Heritage Sites, and from current and proposed collaborations between Geoparks.It became clear from the meeting that we still have a long way to go in progressing our common future on planet Earth under the aegis of "geosciences and landscape for the future of human society" to "meet the needs of future generations" both for a stable society and for sustainable economic development.
It was a privilege in the "Geoparks Celebration" in Belfast. Landscape and geosciences are not boring, dirty and dead! This was shownduring the celebration in which the UNESCO certificate was presented to new members of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. The meetings and discussions between diverse nations who have already worked together, and new members will lead to future progress and to the creation of new projects. They are a cause for celebration.
The partners within the Network form links within a growing chain in which members contribute to the strength and development of the Geopark concept and, simultaneously, serve the needs of future generations within different area of the world. Each partner is an equally important link within the chain. Let us pull together so that we all benefit through our creativity, progress collaborative efforts and above all in our support for each other.
3rd International Conference on Geoparks
organized by UNESCO in Osnabruck, June 2008
The conference in 2008 in Osnabrueck was embedded in the "International Year of Planet Earth 2008" (IYPE), proclaimed by the United Nations in December 2005. For this initiative the conference in Osnabrueck can play a major role in communicating the global objectives.
The key themes of the International Year have been decided by a panel of world experts and assembled by the Year's Science Programme Committee. A selection of these themes, such as "Earth and Health", "Resousces issues - towards sustainable use", and "Soil - Earth's living skin", have been explored in workshops and sessions during the Osnabrueck conference, while the main focus of the Year, "Outreach - brinking Earth sciences to everyone", was stressing our main conference theme "Communication".
By working in partnership with the largest environmental foundation, The Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) and its Centre for Environmental Communication in conjuction with the two Universities of Osnabrueck this conference had a solid financial basis and was guaranteed the broad scientific background for its main theme "Communicating Earth Heritage".
The experienced Conference and Convention Bureau of the City Marketing arganisation in Osnabrueck ensured the professional and efficient organisation of the conference, including reservations, booking etc.
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