Planet Earth International 2009

assisted Global Network of National
The Stone Forest
Geoparks were launched in 2004 and based
Earth sciences and energy
Geopark in the Yunnan
on the successful model established by the
Province of China is an
European Geoparks Network in 2000. The amazing sight.
Global Geoparks Network aims to:
• preserve their geoheritage for present and
future generations
• educate the general public about issues
in geological sciences and their relation to
environmental matters
• ensure sustainable socio-economic and
cultural development
• foster multi-cultural cooperation for
heritage and conservation and the
maintenance of geological and cultural
diversity, using participatory schemes and
co-partnerships
• stimulate research when appropriate
• contribute actively to the life of the net-
work through joint initiatives (e.g. com-
munication, publications, exchange of
information, twinning and participation in
meetings).
Since geoparks are set up under various
Young Earth
management authorities at national levels in wide recognition. Since 2000, 57 geoparks
order to conserve signiﬁ cant geological and from 18 countries have been included in the
Scientists Network
geomorphological features, this may lead Global Geoparks Network (as at June 2008),
The Young Earth Scientists (YES)
to collaboration, if and when appropriate, thereby complementing sites of UNESCO’s Network consists of a group
with universities, geological surveys and well-known World Heritage List that can
of early career earth scientists
the relevant statutory bodies. The network accept only geo-sites of outstanding
working together to organise
the ﬁ rst ever World Congress
provides a platform of cooperation between universal value.
of Young Earth Scientists. The
experts and practitioners in geological and Within the framework of the Interna-
network developed as a direct
geomorphological heritage. tional Year of Planet Earth (IYPE, 2007- response to some statements
Public outreach activities and programs 2009), under the professional supervision
made by the International Year
are created to communicate geoscientiﬁ c of Springer Verlag, Germany, and in con-
of Planet Earth. The International
Organising Committee (IOC)
knowledge and environmental concepts of sultation with UNESCO, IUGS and IGU, a
of the YES met for the ﬁ rst
a geologically deﬁ ned area. This is achieved new geoscientiﬁ c ‘coffee table’ book series
time in Oslo in August 2008.
by establishing museums, information Geoparks of the World is planned as a way of At this meeting the IOC
centres, walking trails, guided tours, publicising the increasing value of geoparks
was honoured to accept the
school excursions and seminars, as well as on the international market. ■
gracious offer of the Chinese
University of Geosciences to
producing informative literature, maps,
host the Congress. Thus, the ﬁ rst
educational materials and displays for a
Congress of YES will be held in
broad public audience. that institution from 25 - 28 of
Further information can be obtained
October 2009 in Beijing.
The need for protection through: UNESCO Global Earth Observation The IOC of YES, with assistance
Many sites comprise rare or aesthetically Section, Division of Ecological and Earth
from the Geological Society of
appealing monuments or features. The local Sciences, 1 rue Miollis, 75015 Paris, France,
London, developed a mission

statement, the key paragraph
L
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S
natural heritage in each geopark attracts or on the following websites
W
stating that “We, the Young
E
an increasing number of visitors, stimu- • www.unesco.org/science/earth/geoparks
Earth Scientists, aim to build

T
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S
E lating the creation of local enterprises and • www.europeangeoparksnetwork.org bridges through international
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cottage industries involved in geotourism.
conferences, meetings and
M
O
As a result, a geopark bolsters economic Wolfgang Eder, from the Department of
other means with those who
.
C
will become the opinion-
T
O
O
activity and sustainable development Earth Sciences at Munich University, is a
forming politicians, economists,
P
H
K
through geotourism at the sites. Goodwill Ambassador and Representative
C
administrators and managers of
T
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Under the umbrella of UNESCO, important of Europe in the International Year of the future.”

I
S
© national geological sites are gaining world- Planet Earth.
www.yearofplanetearth.org PLANET EARTH 37
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