Lesvos (Greece), 25 - 29 September 2007
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF UNESCO
First circular - October 2006
Introduction
Until recently, no international recognition of Earth heritage sites of national or regional importance, and no international convention on Earth heritage existed. The initiative of UNESCO to support Geoparks responds to the strong need expressed by numerous countries for an international framework to enhance the value of the Earth heritage, its landscapes and geological formations, which are key witnesses to the history of life.
The protection and sustainable development of Earth heritage and geodiversity through Geoparks initiatives, contributes to the objectives of Agenda 21, the Agenda of Science for Environment and Development into the twenty-first century adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED, Rio de Janeiro, 1992) and reconfirmed by the World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002 in Johannesburg. Geology, geomorphology and landscape have profoundly influenced society, civilization, and cultural diversity of our planet. The Geoparks initiative adds a new dimension to the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage by highlighting the potential for interaction between socio-economic and cultural development and conservation of the natural environment.
The European Geoparks Network was created with the support of the E.U. and in cooperation with UNESCO in 2000. The main aim of the network is to bring sustainable regional development to the geopark by using that region’s geological heritage, primarily through the development of geotourism. It is our aspiration that geotourism on a European-scale can be developed in this way.
European countries are currently dealing with landscape issues as evidenced by the adoption of the European Convention on Landscape by the Council of Europe in 2000 in Florence. In this context, geomorphology is to be considered one of the main components of landscape changes. Recently, the European Union adopted a Manifesto on Earth Heritage and Geodiversity that is supported among others by the European Geoparks Network - EGN, the International Association of Geomorphology - IAG, the International Union of Geological Sciences - IUGS and the International Geographical Union - IGU.
The Global Geoparks Network operates in close synergy with UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) World Network of Biosphere Reserves, national and international undertakings and non-governmental organizations active in geological heritage conservation.
The Global Geoparks Network (GGN), established in 2004, is an international, non-governmental, non-profit network, which provides a platform of cooperation among Geoparks, brings together government agencies, non-governmental organizations, scientists and experts from all countries around the world in a unique worldwide partnership and operates according to UNESCO regulations.
The GGN mission is to influence, encourage and assist local societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of abiotic and biotic nature, to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and sustainable and to support economic and cultural development of local communities through the valorisation of their unique heritage and identity.
The Global Geoparks Network, operates in close synergy with UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) World Network of Biosphere Reserves, national and international undertakings and non-governmental organizations active in geological heritage conservation.
Invitation
The intensive course on “Geopark Management and Geotourism” is organized by the University of the Aegean - Department of Geography, and the Natural History Museum - Lesvos Petrified Forest Geopark in cooperation with the Global Geoparks Network, the European Geoparks Network and the I.A.G. Working Group “Geomorphosites”. The course is partly supported by the E.U. Initiative LEADER+.
The course is open to PhD and Master students working on geoparks, geotourism, geosites, geomorphosites and landscape topics, as well as to Geopark staff members with a degree in Geosciences.
The interested participants are invited to send an application accompanied by a short CV and an abstract (one page) of their PhD thesis or Master project.
The course will be followed by the Workshop “Geomorphosites Geoparks and Geotourism” which will take place from September 30 to October 3 2007, organized by the I.A.G. Working Group “Geomorphosites”, the University of the Aegean - Department of Geography and the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest. Its main objective is to discuss issues dealing with geomorphosites assessment, geopark management and geotourism development.
Information on the Intensive Course
| Title: | Geoparks management and Geotourism |
| Language: | English |
| Participation: | 20-30 PhD and Master students, Geoparks stuff members |
| Organisation: | Faculty of Geography, University of the Aegean, Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest |
| Co- Organisers : | Global Geoparks Network, European Geoparks Network, Working Group “Geomorphosites” of the IAG, |
| Patronage: | UNESCO |
| Date & Place: | September 25-29, 2007Sigri, |
| Inscription rate: | 300 € (including lessons by International staff, didactic material, food and housing during the course, travels during the course, participation in the workshop but not travel to Lesvos Greece) |
| Application deadline: | May 30th, 2007 |
| Scientific direction: | As.Prof. Nickolas Zouros, University of the Aegean |
| Information: | nzour@aegean.gr, 0032- 2251036431, 2251047033 |
Preliminary Program
| September 25 | Integrating geosite protection, landscape management, and cultural heritage in nature conservation and local development strategies. |
| 09.30 - 10.00 | Welcome and Introduction |
| 10.00 - 13.00 | Lectures |
| 13.00 - 15.00 | Lunch break |
| 15.00 - 16.30 | Lectures |
| 16.30 - 17.00 | Creation of three working groups on geopark creation case studies (exercise) |
| 17.00 - 19.00 | Sort visit to the Ordimnos volcanic dome, Ypsilou monastery (12th century) and Museum |
| 20.30 | Dinner in a traditional fish tavern |
| September 26 | Geoparks and Geotourism: infrastructure and activities |
| 09.30 - 13.00 | Lectures |
| 13.00 - 15.00 | Lunch break |
| 15.00 - 16.00 | Participant’s presentations |
| 16.00 - 17.00 | Working groups - discussion and synthesis |
| 17.00 - 19.00 | Sort visit to the Lesvos petrified forest park |
| 20.30 | Dinner in a traditional fish tavern |
| September 27 | Educational activities in Geoparks |
| 09.30 - 13.00 | Lectures |
| 13.00 - 15.00 | Lunch break |
| 15.00 - 16.00 | Participant’s presentations |
| 16.00 - 17.00 | Working groups - discussion and synthesis |
| 17.00 - 18.00 | Sort visit to the Sigri petrified forest park and to the educational excavation installation |
| 18.00 - 19.00 | Educational activity with children |
| 20.00 | Dinner and Music event |
| September 28 | Geopark management and monitoring |
| 09.30 - 13.00 | Lectures |
| 13.00 - 15.00 | Lunch break |
| 15.00 - 16.00 | Participant’s presentations |
| 16.00 - 17.00 | Working groups - discussion and synthesis |
| 17.00 - 19.00 | Sort visit to the Plaka petrified forest park and coastal geomorphosites (tafoni weathering) |
| 20.00 | Dinner |
| September 29 | International cooperation for geotourism development |
| 08.30 - 11.00 | Visit by boat to the Nisiopi islet and the marine park |
| 11.00 - 13.00 | Lectures |
| 13.00 - 15.00 | Lunch break |
| 15.00 - 17.00 | Results of the working grours study on Geoparks |
| 17.00 - 19.00 | Round table discussion |
| 20.00 | Dinner |
Registration
All participants are kindly requested to complete the Registration form and submit it electronically or by fax to the Organising Committee,to the following address:
Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest
8th November 17, Str., Mytilene, Lesvos Isl.,
GR- 81100, GREECE
Fax Number +30-22510-47033
e-mail: lesvospf@otenet.gr
Registration Fee
Intensive Course (25 to 29 September 2007):
Participants , 400 €.
Students and Post-graduate Students: 300 €.
The Registration Fee covers the right to attend the Course including lessons by International staff, didactic material, food and housing during the course, travels during the course, but not the travel to Lesvos Greece.
Intensive Course and Workshop (25 September - 3 October 2007):
Participants , 450 €.
Students and Post-graduate Students: 350 €.
The Registration Fee covers the right to attend the Course and the Workshop including lessons by International staff, didactic material, food and housing during the course, travels during the course, workshop bag abstract volume and materials, and to participate in the workshop fieldtrip but not the travel to Lesvos Greece.
The reduced fee will be applied to post graduate students and to researchers working full time for an advanced degree (M.Sc., Ph.D.) at the time of registration. Those wishing to register at the student fee should attach to the registration form a photo copy of their current student card to prove the student status.
All payments related with the workshop must be made to the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest who will send a written confirmation to all the registered participants.
Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest
8th November 17, Str., Mytilene, Lesvos Isl., GR- 81100, GREECE
Fax Number +30-22510-47033
Registration fees can be paid in any of the following ways:
Account number: IBAN GR03 0150 0580 0000 98003698 432,
SWIFT:GHBAGRAA
Name of the bank: Geniki Bank / Mytilene Branch
A copy of the bank transfer must be sent to the Natural History Museum by mail
or fax. Unless you sent a copy of your bank transfer we will not be able to process
your registration.
