"Sunset in the Ngorongoro Crater, the true Garden of Eden, is pure magic. Golden light spills over the crater’s rim, painting the grasslands in amber and crimson. Silhouettes of wildebeest and zebra stretch across the plains, while lions stir in the fading light. Flamingos wade through Lake Magadi, their reflections shimmering. Above, the sky becomes a canvas of pink, orange, and violet, embracing this ancient wilderness in a perfect, timeless glow." - Elia, The Engaruka English Medium Primary School Geoclub Teacher

The third 4GEON face-to-face annual meeting of the project team was held in Tanzania, at the Ngorongoro Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark. It was 9 days of intense program, focused on geoscience education development and practical steps in local school engagement, sustainable tourism, and community involvement, and meeting Indigenous group representatives.

Several Interim workshops focused e.g. on 4GEON information systems and the potential of generative AI in geoeducation. The meeting resulted in feedback for Ngorongoro Geopark, fostered multilateral geopark-to-geopark senior-junior experience exchange, deepened cooperation with local geoschools as well as an action plan with tangible tasks and goals. Download

The Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark International Forum with the theme Sustainable Management of Geoparks: Raising Awareness, Empowering Partners, and the launching of the Bohol Island Geotrails in celebration of World Soil Day. Over 180 individuals from seven countries have registered to participate via Zoom and on-site at the Bellevue Resort, Panglao, Bohol. Organised by team members from the Bohol Island UGGp, Philippines, Karl Din, Jovencia Ganub.

Various school field trips in the Global Geopark Colca y Volcanes de Andagua involving meetings with elders from the local community explaining how to plant local crops took place throughout the year paired with educational excursions to various geosites.

A rich program full of workshops, field trips and networking activities is awaiting the team of experts from all participating geoparks. Starting with hands-on experience with tourism products and Earth history visual interpretation made by famous paleoartist Zdenek Burian in Dvůr Králové ZOO Safari, a field trip to the Rychory Centre of Environmental Education and Ethics. The next day, followed by a Ceremonial opening at the University of Hradec Kralove presided over by the Dean of the Faculty of Informatics and Management, prof. Josef Hynek and progress presentations from all 4GEON geoparks. Knowledge-sharing, discussion on 4GEON mission and implementation of its activities, hands-on experience, field trips and much more is in store in the following days... Read more

Geo-educational Tour and Geosite Assessment with students at Holy Name University and Bohol Island State University and Geoscience Training for Science Teachers in Candijay, Bohol. The first two days were dedicated for lectures and practical exercises while a special tour visiting the geosites in the town of Candijay and Alicia was organized on the third day. Participants also visited active quarries of the Bohol Ophiolite Complex.