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

On Friday, a pleasant and useful meeting took place between the Rio Coco Geopark team and the 4GEON project experts (Helga and Ben) on the topic of geological heritage interpretation and geoscience education, especially for schools in the geopark. Other 4GEON geoparks will follow. Creative outreach to youth and sensitive engagement with indigenous communities remains a priority. Read more

The UNESCO Global Geoparks Nagorongoro Lengai (Tanzania) and Azores (Portugal) arranged a digital meeting between students from these two territories. The meeting was a culmination of a multidisciplinary work carried out by students and teachers, rediscovering their territories and presenting them to peers, so far away geographically but so close through the Global Family – Global Geoparks Network. Thanks to Colégio de Santa Clara and to Tumaini Junior Primary School! Read more

Students from the National Agrarian University visit community tourism circuits in the community of Oruce, Municipality of Las Sabanas, Department of Madriz.

Coordination with INPRHU (Institute for Human Promotion, NGO), Geopark Rio Coco UNESCO Global Geopark, Mayor's Office of Las Sabanas Municipality, Community of Oruce.

The fun mobile application designed to enrich the experience of visiting a geopark and also to support educational activities in the field has been significantly improved. Namely, offline support for working with the map has been added. The final tests are now underway, the improved version of the app will be published soon. Stay tuned! Read more

Chuño is a traditional freeze-dried potato which plays a significant role in Quechua and Aymara communities of Bolivia and Peru, dating back to before the time of the Inca Empire in the 13th century. Both natural aspects, such as local geology or minerals present in the local soil, and cultural aspects such as legends, traditions or spiritual meanings are being investigated to prepare a new captivating narration.

School education programme at Engaruka primary school and a training session in Karatu District with 4GEON project support was realized. The last picture documents a meeting with local community at village Eyasi in Karatu district on 4GEON mission, activity implementation and other geopark issues.

Teachers from schools in the area are being trained in geopark-related topics.

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.

The School Scout Troop of the Geopark was fully involved in the Geodiversity Day celebrations.

Celebration of the International Geodiversity Day at The Buzz, Abatan River together with the partners and members of the Geopark Technical Working Group in the morning, and Bohol Culture and Education Summit 2023 in the afternoon together with culture and education advocates and university and high school students and teachers. The International Geodiversity Day was also launched in the said events.

As an expression of social responsibility within the framework of education for responsible behavior in the 4GEON project, school children in Andagua participated in waste recycling arranged by Abraham Caceres Cabana, Global Geopark Colca y Volcanes de Andagua, Peru.

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

In the territory of the Colca Global Geopark and the Valley of Volcanoes, Peru, various school events took place in 2023, aimed at promoting the 4GEON project and its mission. The activity was coordinated by the team member Abraham Caceres Cabana.

Initial version of GeoPortal for information dissemination, knowledge sharing and as an education support has been launched by geopark Barrandien team members Lubos Gardon and Lubos Gardon Jr. Read more

With the support of the 4GEON project, the International Geodiversity Day was celebrated at Tumaini Junior School by team members from the Ngorongoro Lengai Geopark, Tanzania.

Online lectures took place in Colca y Volcanes de Andagua UGGp, Peru. 4GEON mission, activities as well as other geopark-related topics were presented and discussed.

Celebration of the University of Bohol – Loon Institute Science and Mathematics Fair 2023, where the Geopark Geologist was invited as a keynote speaker and introduced both Bohol Geopark and 4GEON project. The University is an active partner and supporter of the Geopark.

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.

Promoting Bohol’s Geological Heritage through Geotourism - presentation to 2nd-year Hospitality and Tourism Management students at Holy Name University by team members Karl Din and Jovencia Ganub.