1st Congress Terras de Cavaleiros – Completed

The International Conference organized by the Terras de Cavaleiros UNESCO Global Geopark in Portugal on January 27th and 28th in the frame of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, presented the potential of Geoparks in developing sustainable tourism activities and made visible their contribution to the local economy and employment. This was the first of a series of international conferences and meetings organized by the Global Geoparks Network members in order to promote Geoparks as sustainable tourism destinations. Next September we will celebrate the International Year of Sustainable Tourism in Azores UNESCO Global Geopark at the 14th European Geoparks Conference!

The Conference opened the Chair of the Portuguese National Commission for cooperation with UNESCO Ana Martinho and the Mayor of Macedo de Cavaleiros Duarte Moreno.

Main contributors were K.Heiman (UNESCO), N. Zouros (Global Geoparks Network President), Elizabeth Silva (Chair of the Portuguese Geoparks Forum), Asier Hilario (Chair of the Spanish Geoparks Forum), Artur Sa (UNESCO Chair on Geoparks, Portugal), Diamantino Pereira (Scientific Coordinator) and Silvia Marcos (Executive Coordinator of Terras de Cavaleiros UGG), Carlos Carvalho (Scientific Coordinator Naturtejo UGG), Antonio Duarte (Arouca UGG) and Paulino Costa (Azores UGG). Presentation of the Aspiring geopark Estrela was made by Emanuel Castro Executive Coordinator.

The Conference closed by the Secretary of State on Conservation of Nature Celia Ramos.