The European Geoparks Network (EGN) functions as the regional organization of the
Global Geoparks Network
UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) are geoparks certified by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council as meeting all the requirements for belonging to the Global Geoparks Network (GGN). The GGN is both a network of geoparks and the agency of the United Nati ...
(GGN) and the UNESCO International Geosciences and Geoparks Programme (UNESCO-IGGP). Its main objective is to ensure cooperation between geoparks for the protection of
geological heritage and the promotion of
sustainable development
Sustainable development is an organizing principle for meeting human development goals while also sustaining the ability of natural systems to provide the natural resources and ecosystem services on which the economy and society depend. The des ...
of their territories in Europe. In 2020 January, the EGN had 75 institutional members (
UNESCO Global Geoparks
UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) are geoparks certified by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council as meeting all the requirements for belonging to the Global Geoparks Network (GGN). The GGN is both a network of geoparks and the agency of the United Nati ...
) from 26 European countries and there are several aspiring geopark projects, applying for a UNESCO label and therefore the permanent EGN membership.
History
The 1990s are widely considered as the birth of geoheritage as a dedicated domain of the
geosciences
Earth science or geoscience includes all fields of natural science related to the planet Earth. This is a branch of science dealing with the physical, chemical, and biological complex constitutions and synergistic linkages of Earth's four spheres ...
, dealing with the preservation and valorisation of the
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. While large volumes of water can be found throughout the Solar System, only Earth sustains liquid surface water. About 71% of Earth's surfa ...
's abiotical heritage, its geodiversity. The idea of coordinated work on geology-focused territorial frameworks in Europe was discussed during the
International Geological Congress in Beijing, 1997. After preparatory meetings in 1999, four European territories assembled in
Lesvos
Lesbos or Lesvos ( el, Λέσβος, Lésvos ) is a Greek island located in the northeastern Aegean Sea. It has an area of with approximately of coastline, making it the third largest island in Greece. It is separated from Asia Minor by the nar ...
, between 3–5 June 2000:
* Réserve Géologique de Haute-Provence – France
* Natural History Museum of Lesvos Petrified Forest – Greece (Lesvos)
* Geopark Gerolstein/Vulkaneifel – Germany
* Maestrazgo Cultural Park – Spain
They signed the convention on the establishment of the European Geoparks Label and the Network itself, with the intention of sharing information and expertise, as well as defining common tools.
On 20 April 2001, during the 3rd EGN Coordination Meeting, the Convention of Cooperation was signed between UNESCO Division of Earth Sciences and the EGN at
Parc Cabo de Gata in Spain, defining the basis of the partnership between the two signatories.
In February 2004 the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) was founded in Paris by the members of EGN and the
Chinese Geopark Network. The international partnership was developed under the umbrella of UNESCO and in October 2004 the Madonie Declaration was issued during the 5th Annual Meeting of EGN. It recognized the EGN as the official branch of the UNESCO – Global Geoparks Network in Europe. The declaration also underlines that EGN serves as a reference for the creation of similar continental networks of geoparks worldwide.
From March 2015 (35th European Geoparks Meeting, Paris, France), EGN continued as the regional geopark network of GGN. In November 2015, the 38th UNESCO General Conference adopted the International Geosciences and Geoparks Programme, officially approving the geopark concept to its framework and merging it with the existing
International Geoscience Programme
The International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGCP) is a cooperative enterprise of UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the International Union of Geological Sciences
The International Union ...
. The UNESCO Global Geopark label was created and all institutional members of EGN received it automatically.
Organization
The EGN operates under the auspices of the Statutes of the Global Geoparks Network, supplemented with the Rules of Operation of EGN, based on the Charter of EGN, signed in 2000. Its headquarters are located in the Haute-Provence UNESCO Global Geopark in
Digne-les-Bains
Digne-les-Bains (; Occitan: ''Dinha dei Banhs''), or simply and historically Digne (''Dinha'' in the classical norm or ''Digno'' in the Mistralian norm), is the prefecture of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in the Provence-Alpes-Cô ...
, France.
The members of EGN consist of:
* the institutional members: all the UNESCO Global Geoparks and regional members of GGN in Europe.
* individual members: professionals of GGN in Europe, dealing with geopark management
* honorary members: people who have committed extraordinary service to the geopark concept
* cooperating members: international organizations, institutions or people providing financial or other assistance to the EGN
National geoparks committees / forums
In several European countries, national geopark networks were founded after the decision of the Coordination Committee of EGN in 2007. They function as the forums to enhance the cooperation of geoparks and the promotion of the geopark concept on a national level and taking over directly selected activities of EGN / GGN in a country.
As of 2020, the following national committees / forums exist.
* Austrian Geoparks Forum
* Czech Geoparks Forum
* French Geoparks Forum
* Finnish Geoparks Forum
German Geoparks ForumHellenic Geoparks Forum* Icelandic Geoparks Forum
* Irish Geoparks Forum
* Italian Geoparks Forum
* Netherlands Geopark Forum
* Norwegian National Committee for Geoheritage and Geoparks
* Portuguese Geoparks Forum
* Slovenian Geopark Forum
Spanish Geoparks Forum
Members
Former members
(at 18 April 2018):
* Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark (England, UK)
* Astrobleme, Rochechouart (France)
* Kamptal Geopark (Austria)
* Lochaber Geopark (Scotland, UK)
* Mecklenburg Ice-age Landscape Geopark (Germany)
Meetings and activities
The executive decisions and operative work of EGN take place within the half-year coordination meetings, hosted every spring and autumn by one of the institutional members.
The six-monthly coordination meetings of the autumn periods run parallel with the Annual Meetings (2000–2012) and European Geoparks Conferences, now organized every two years. These are open to non-institutional and non-individual EGN members as well, functioning as venues of scientific exchange and networking opportunity, related to the geoparks concept.
See also
*
Geopark
A geopark is a protected area with internationally significant geology within which sustainable development is sought and which includes tourism, conservation, education and research concerning not just geology but other relevant sciences.
In 20 ...
*
Geotourism
Geotourism is tourism associated with geological attractions and destinations.Dowling, R. & Newsome, D. (Eds.)(2006) ''Geotourism'' ; Elsevier, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford Geotourism deals with the abiotic natural and built environments.Sadry ...
*
Global Geoparks Network
UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) are geoparks certified by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council as meeting all the requirements for belonging to the Global Geoparks Network (GGN). The GGN is both a network of geoparks and the agency of the United Nati ...
*
Asia Pacific Geoparks Network
The Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) is the regional geopark network of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and the UNESCO International Geosciences and Geoparks Programme (UNESCO-IGGP). Its main role is to coordinate the activities of GGN in ...
*
Latin America and the Caribbean Geoparks Network
Latin America is represented under the Global Geoparks Network by the geoparks of the Latin American Geoparks Network (Red GEOLAC). As of 2019, it includes 7 UNESCO Global Geoparks and further projects are in progress seeking UNESCO status or that ...
*
African Geoparks Network
UNESCO has currently designated two UNESCO Global Geoparks in Africa, located in two state parties, Tanzania and Morocco. There are plans for national geoparks in an initial phase that could be further developed to gain the UNESCO recognition. Al ...
References
External links
European Geoparks Network(Accessed: 27 February 2020)
{{UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geopark networks
Geoparks in Europe