Call for applications: Workshop on UNESCO Global Geoparks in Africa

UNESCO Global Geoparks aim to preserve geological heritage while promoting sustainable development for local communities. These areas highlight the connection between geoheritage, natural and cultural heritage, and raise awareness about issues like sustainable resource use, natural hazards, climate change, and community empowerment. However, Africa lags behind in establishing geoparks despite its immense potential. There are 195 UNESCO Global Geoparks* in 48 countries, with only two geoparks being in Africa.  In alignment with UNESCO's priority Africa and to accelerate the preservation of the continent's geological heritage and following the first UNESCO Global Geopark workshop in Africa, UNESCO is organizing a dedicated training workshop during the 29th Colloquium of African Geology (CAG29) in Windhoek, Namibia on 21 September 2023, followed by a three-day field trip (22 - 24 September 2023). 

The objectives of the workshop are to introduce emerging geopark initiatives in Africa to the UNESCO Global Geoparks concept, raise awareness of geological heritage, encourage protection and conservation efforts, promote understanding at the governmental and academic levels, support community-driven initiatives, and identify and address challenges faced by African geopark initiatives. 

The workshop is organized by the UNESCO International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme Secretariat, UNESCO Windhoek office, the PanAfgeo-2 workpackage WP-D (Geoheritage) delivery team, and the Geological Survey of Namibia. The following topics will be covered, bringing together emerging geopark initiatives in Africa and other interested partners:

• Fundamentals of UNESCO Global Geoparks concept: what are they? What makes them special? In what way are they different from other site designations? How are they created?
• The importance of geological heritage and the need to connect it with natural heritage, as well as cultural tangible and intangible heritage.
• Governments and the related organizations role in the protection and conservation of their most relevant geoheritage via national programmes and the development of UNESCO Global Geoparks projects in their country.
• To assure that the UNESCO Geopark concept is well understood at governmental and academic level, in order to support community driven growing initiatives and provide a necessary new sustainable economic development to local populations.
• Identification and discussion of the strengths and weaknesses, as well as potential opportunities and threats posed by the current situation in Africa for UNESCO Global Geoparks. What is the potential and challenges for current initiative in Africa and discussions on how to alleviate such challenges?

This four-day workshop is an opportunity for experts to learn about these initiatives and how they can best support them, these include:

• UNESCO National Commissions
• National and regional experts (geological survey staff, academics on geoheritage, nature conservation experts, protected area managers)
• Promoters of projects related to geoheritage and UNESCO Global Geoparks in Africa
• Participants in the Digital Intensive Course on UNESCO Global Geoparks (June 2020/2021/2022)

Eligible African national and regional experts, should send the following documents to the International Geoscience and Geoparks (IGGP) Secretariat before 30 June 2023:

• A cover letter explaining your expectations from the workshop and how it might help you to aid the acceleration of UNESCO Global Geoparks in Africa (500-1000 words)
• Your CV

Notes

* As of May 2023