Message from UNESCO
2007, under the aegis of UNESCO. UNESCO and IUGS began rallying support
UNESCO is also producing publications for for it more than three years ago. The fi rst
the general public on themes related to the milestone was reached when UNESCO’s
Year. One of these is Explaining the Earth, a General Conference adopted a resolution for an
richly illustrated book aimed at teenagers that International Year of Planet Earth on 12 October
describes basic aspects of the Earth sciences. 2005. Two months later the Year was proclaimed
A second publication entitled Geoparks: by the United Nations General Assembly in
Celebrating Earth Heritage – Sustaining Local New York, and UNESCO was designated as
Communities, to be published this year, will the body responsible for organising activities
illustrate levels of natural heritage protection during the Year, in collaboration with the United
and management attained by the 32 European Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and
geoparks. other relevant United Nations bodies, the IUGS,
In parallel with public and other Earth science societies and groups
outreach, the world’s Earth throughout the world.
scientists have set themselves a By November 2007 some 60 countries
demanding research agenda for had set up plans for national events for their
the Year. They have selected 10 scientifi c communities and the public at large.
themes of particular interest to Two countries have since announced plans to
society, which greatly refl ect the reintroduce geosciences into school curricula
current priorities of UNESCO’s during the Year, which was formally launched
own International Geoscience at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 12 and 13
Programme (IGCP) which, like February 2008.
the Year, is co-sponsored by The third UNESCO
IUGS. International Conference on
UNESCO is the only United Nations agency Geoparks (held in Germany
with a long-standing research and capacity- in June 2008) was just one
building programme in the solid Earth sciences of a number of international
(geology and geophysics), notably in developing conferences dedicated to
countries. Since March 2007, UNESCO has the Year. It examined how
supported a research project that will make a geoparks can support public
considerable contribution to the Year. Known as outreach on the various themes
‘OneGeology’, it involves leading scientists from of the Year.
Geological Surveys and associated bodies from Another key event was the International
94 nations. It will ultimately arrange for national Geological Congress held in Oslo in August
geological data to be lodged in an internet 2008. Organised under the patronage of
data bank by every nation in the world, thus UNESCO, this event brought together some
completing the biggest jigsaw puzzle ever. This 7000 geoscientists from around the world.
project will provide valuable know-how to all, 2008 was indeed a very exciting year,
including the developing world, free of charge. already widely regarded as a resounding
The International Year of Planet Earth has success. ■
set itself some ambitious targets, yet it has
been prepared in a remarkably short time. Koïchiro Matsuura Director-General
www.yearofplanetearth.org PLANET EARTH 5
PE2.welcome.kj.mw.indd 5 12/2/09 5:05:05 pm
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