Event
Capacity-building workshop on UNESCO Global Geoparks in Africa
Although the UNESCO Global Geoparks label is UNESCO’s most recent site designation, dating only from 2015, the network already covers a surface area of 370,662 km², comparable to the size of Japan. However, there are currently only two in Africa, the Ngorongoro Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark in Tanzania and the M’Goun UNESCO Global Geopark in Morocco. This three-day workshop combines lectures, case studies and a field visit, which aims to aid participants with knowledge on how to further designate sites in Africa.
UNESCO Global Geoparks must be single, unified geographical areas that comprise several geological sites of international value. These sites offer an extraordinary geological diversity, while also underpinning the region’s biological and cultural diversity. Geoparks serve local communities by combining the conservation of their unique geological heritage with outreach to the public and sustainable development. They promote an understanding of key issues, such as the need to use mineral resources sustainably and the impact of natural hazards and climate change, as well as the empowerment of indigenous peoples.
