GLOBAL NETWORK OF NATIONAL GEOPARKS. Patrick J Mc Keever

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1 Patrick J Mc Keever

2 A GEOPARK is an area with. geological heritage of international significance but also with. a sustainable development strategy or plan involving local communities. IS A GEOPARK JUST ABOUT GEOLOGY? Carnic Alps Global Geopark, Austria No! While a geopark must demonstrate geological heritage of international significance, the purpose of a geopark is to explore, develop and celebrate the links between that geological heritage and all other aspects of the areas natural, cultural and intangible heritages. It is about reconnecting human society at all levels to the planet we all call home and to celebrate how our planet and it s 4,600 million year long history has shaped every aspect of our lives and our societies.

3 Where are the geoparks? Comprises 90 members spread across 26 countries and 4 continents. This includes 52 in Europe as part of the European Geoparks Network (founded in 2000) and 36 in the Asia-Pacific region as part of the Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network (founded in 2009)..

4 How to create a geopark: pre-requisites Significant geological heritage Geo-conservation activities Sustainable tourism activities Educational activities Community involvement Strong management structure Secure financial basis Naturtejo, Portugal A territory must demonstrate at the time of application that they are already a de-facto geopark

5 Quality Control & Continuous Development On approval, a territory is only endorsed as a geopark for 4 years A revalidation assessment is then performed progress in geoconservation progress in education progress in sustainable tourism progress in community involvement progress in economy involvement in network continuing financial security visibility Green Card Yellow Card Red Card Hong Kong S.A.R.

6 GEOPARKS ARE PEOPLE Geoparks are fundamentally about people. Geopark authorities must therefore work for the people by preserving, nurturing and celebrating their traditions, cultures, and their social values, including those of indigenous people. Geoparks must consider the social impact of their work. Geoparks must work with their communities in protecting their environment and in developing employment opportunities. As geoparks are linked to UNESCO, geoparks are obliged to follow the UNESCO strategy on integrating a human rights-based approach into all of their work.

7 Geoparks, Climate Change, Geohazards & Natural Resources Geoparks hold records of past climate change and have therefore play a key role locally in informing on the current debate on present day climate change. Many geoparks are in tectonically active areas of the world where they have a crucial role in helping mitigate geo-hazards through awareness raising and building disaster response strategies. Many geoparks are former mining areas, areas where local culture has been shaped, often for generations, by exploitation of natural resources. Geoparks therefore are obliged to inform about the need to ensure best practise in natural resource exploitation. Katla, Iceland

8 Geohazard Awareness Raising Toya-Usu Global Geopark, Japan Lesvos Island Global Geopark, Hellas

9 Geoparks & Gender Equality Many Global Geoparks have a strong focus on empowering women whether through focussed education programmes or through the development of women s cooperatives. Global Geoparks can provide a platform for the development, nurturing and promotion of local cottage industry and craft products. In some Global Geoparks women s cooperatives also operate accommodation services for visitors to the geopark and can provide an opportunity for women to obtain additional income in their own area and on their own terms. Lesvos Global Geopark, Hellas

10 Global Geoparks conceptualise community participation to reach far beyond the mere involvement of local stakeholders in the development of a project. Geoparks are about building community ownership, empowerment, sense of pride. Community Particpiation Global Geoparks consider their residents as experts of their territory and as Geopark Ambassadors Global Geoparks use the reflection of a territories Earth heritage in traditions, local tales, songs, hand craft and land use techniques, in local dialect and architecture to build inclusive sustainable regional development strategies. Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland

11 GEOPARKS: Communicating Geoscience Local Ranger Training Kid s Clubs

12 GEOPARKS: Communicating Geoscience...make it fun Helping schools...

13 GEOPARKS: Communicating Geoscience Agri-Tourism & Geoparks

14 GEOPARKS: Communicating Geoscience Art & Geology: Stop and Ponder Walking routes to in-situ fossils

15 GEOPARKS: Communicating Geoscience Walks Talks Plays Kids projects Food Fairs Media Events Special Offers! Music European Geoparks Week Geopark Villages May8 JUNE 10, 2012

16 Capacity Building Latin America: Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia. Africa (with AAWG): Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia. Asia-Pacific: Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Rep of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia. Europe: Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands. North America: Canada, USA Annual Intensive Course on Geoparks hosted and paid for by University of the Aegean. Araripe Global Geopark, Brazil

17 GLOBAL GEOPARKS NETWORK Celebrating Earth Heritage Sustaining Local Communities Patrick J Mc Keever