GLOBAL GEOPARKS NETWORK
International Association
The Global Geoparks Network (GGN), is a non-profit International Association officially established in 2014 subject to French legislation. The Global Geoparks Network is the official partner of UNESCO for the operation of the UNESCO Global Geoparks.
The GGN was initially founded in 2004 as an international partnership developed under the umbrella of UNESCO and serves to develop models of best practice and set quality-standards for territories that integrate the protection preservation of Earth heritage sites in a strategy for regional sustainable economic development.
The bottom-up approach is becoming increasingly popular through the positive and effective running of the GGN under UNESCO’s ad hoc support with individual Member States as appropriate.
Networking and collaboration among Global Geoparks is an important component of the Global Geoparks Network. The Global Geoparks Network promotes networking on a regional basis. The GGN prioritizes the creation of similar Regional Networks, reflecting local conditions, elsewhere in the world.
The objectives of the Global Geoparks Network are:
- to promote the equitable geographical establishment, development and professional management of Global Geoparks,
- to advance knowledge and understanding of the nature, function and role of Global Geoparks;
- to assist local communities to value their natural and cultural heritage;
- to preserve Earth heritage for present and future generations;
- to educate and teach the broad public about issues in geo-sciences and their relation with environmental matters and natural hazards.
- to ensure sustainable socio-economic and cultural development based on the natural (or geological) system
- to foster multi-cultural links between heritage and conservation and the maintenance of geological and cultural diversity, using participatory schemes of partnership and management;
- to promote joint initiatives between Global Geoparks (e.g. communication, publications, exchange of information, twinning).
The Global Geoparks Network:
- establishes ethical standards which must be adopted and respected by Global Geoparks and Global Geopark professionals;
- organizes co-operation and mutual assistance between Global Geoparks and between Global Geopark professionals;
- initiates and co-ordinates thematic Working Groups which will foster international co-operation is a variety of issues related with Geopark operation and activities;
- represents, advances, and disseminates knowledge in Geodiversity management and other disciplines related to studies in Geo-conservation, Geo-tourism, Geo-education and/or the management and activities of Global Geoparks.
The 6th International UNESCO Conference on Global Geoparks was held from September 19 to 22, 2014 in Saint John, Stonehammer Global Geopark, Canada, and attended by 500 delegates from 30 countries and had agreed the declaration.
Visit Global Geoparks Network Website