With the support of the Chinese Geoparks Network and in collaboration with English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, one of our sister geoparks, Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark (HKGP) is involved in a joint volunteer programme to provide translation services at the keynote and themed presentations, and sessions for Chinese delegates at the 7th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks from 26 to 30 September 2016.
Following the launch of the joint volunteer programme and an open recruitment exercise in May 2016, five volunteers from the local community, who are also actively involved with HKGP or studying at top universities in Hong Kong, were selected, based on their professional background and expertise. They are supported by two local sponsors: the Hong Kong LIONS Club Nature Education Foundation and Fung Ying Seen Koon, a local religious group with close ties to geopark communities.
To properly equip our volunteers and to promulgate UNESCO Global Geoparks concepts, a training programme was organized for the Hong Kong volunteers prior to the conference. They participated in a 14-hour training workshop to learn about the basic geology and ecology in Hong Kong, and the concept and management of Hong Kong Geopark, and to experience sharing sessions with our partners in local engagement work. They also participated in a geo-tour in the Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region with a group of tour guides to exchange ideas on science popularization and geo-interpretation. They underwent another 10 days of simultaneous translation training to become familiar with the translation equipment and prepare for the translation service, using past conference video records for practice.
Lecture on the concept and management of Hong Kong Geopark
Geo-tour with local tour guides
Simultaneous translation training for volunteers
