What are UNESCO Global Geopark Networks?
UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas with sites and landscapes of international geological significance. These areas are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development with a bottom-up approach, involving local communities and by combining conservation with sustainable development. Their popularity as desirable and fascinating destinations is growing worldwide. Discerning visitors and engaged local populations enjoy over 165 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 44 countries.
What a UNESCO Geopark is NOT
UNESCO Global Geopark status does NOT imply restrictions on any economic activity inside the Geopark where that activity complies with indigenous, local, regional and/or national legislation.
The Global Geopark Network
The Global Geoparks Network (GGN), of which membership is obligatory for UNESCO Global Geoparks, is a legally constituted not-for-profit organization with an annual membership fee. The GGN founded in 2004 is a dynamic network where members are committed to work together, exchange ideas of best practice, and join in common projects to raise the quality standards of all products and practices of a UNESCO Global Geopark. While the GGN as a whole comes together every two years, it functions through the operation of regional networks, such as the European Geoparks Network that meets twice a year to develop and promote joint activities.
Now the GGN continues to expand, drawing in new expertise and knowledge from all parts of the world and different cultures. And it’s always developing models of best practice and setting high quality standards for territories that integrate the preservation of geological heritage into strategies for regional sustainable economic development.
The Canadian Geoparks Network (formerly Canadian National Committee for Geoparks)
The Canadian National Committee for Geoparks (CNCG) is a national committee that was formed in 2009 by the Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences (CFES) to address the need for coordination of UNESCO Global Geopark applications from Canada. Currently there are five Geoparks and six Aspiring Geoparks in Canada. The committee has established guidelines governing the process by which Canadian communities can aspire to achieve UNESCO Global Geopark status and it assists communities to improve their applications that ultimately go to UNESCO Headquarters. The CNCG conducts site visits prior to applications being sent to UNESCO and advises on strengths and shortcomings of aspiring Geoparks in Canada. The Canadian National Committee works with existing and Aspiring Global Geoparks within Canada to make their applications the best that they can be before they are submitted to UNESCO for formal evaluation.
Learn more about the Canadian Geoparks Network.
