13 Nov 2013

From October 28 to November 12, the International Training Courses on Geoheriatge Protection and Geopark Building was held in China. The courses was sponsored by Department of Geological Enviroment, Ministry of Land and Resources of P.R.China(MLR), Department of Science, Technology & International Cooperation, MLR, China Geological Survey(CGS), China Institute of Geo-Environment Monitoring UNESCO Nairobi Office, Global Geoparks Network(GGN)Beijing Office,  Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences(CAGS), Chinese Geoparks Network(CGN), and organized by Yanqing Global Geopark, Beijing (Sep.28 - Nov.2),Yuntaishan Global Geopark, Henan Province (Nov.3 - Nov.7) and Shilin Global Geopark, Yunnan Province (Nov.8- Nov.12).

The contents of the course include: GGN Guidelines and Criterion, the history and main achievements and management of Chinese Geoparks Network, planning and building of geoparks, geoheritage survey, evaluation and scientific value scientific interpretation, communication of geopark and its management case, concept and history of geoparks, presentation of participants geoparks projects, analysis and group dynamic conversation and geopark situation in Africa, geoheritage survey, geological tourism and promotion.

15 participants from 12 countries including Kenyan, Togolese, Egyptian, Tanzanian, Senegal, Moroccan, Ivorian, Ugandan, South African, Congolese, Sudanese, French attended the training courses. So far there are no global geoparks in Africa, and the aim of the training courses is to accelerate the capacity building and to enhance the global geoparks building in African. It also deepened the friendship between China and the African countries.

At the training courses, Shilin geopark staff made a presentation themed Exploration and Practice on Geoheritage Conservation and Interpretation of Shilin Geopark and attracted wide interest.

The training courses comprise academic presentation and field excursions. After the indoor lectures, all the participants visited the Shilin Global Geopark, and knew more about the valuable and unique geoheritage in the Geopark, and the complex geological evolution of the Shilin area.