No. 1 10 November 2019 NEWS at a Glance  The 5th International Training Course on UNESCO Global Management and Development th  The 10 National Conference of Japanese Geoparks Network  Programme of 9th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks  APGN Calendar

1. The 5th International Training Course on UNESCO Global Geoparks Management and Development The 5th International Training Course on UNECO Global Geoparks Management and Development was successfully held from 28 October to 3 November, 2019 in and Dengfeng jointly organized by the University of Geosciences (Beijing), the Songshan UNESCO Global and the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences. This training course has become a very important capacity building mechanism in the Global Geoparks community. The 5th training course got the support of UNESCO Global Geoparks Secretariat, UNESCO Beijing Office, Global Geoparks Network (GGN), Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN), and Chinese Geoparks Network (CGN). Among others, the coordinator of the Asia Pacific Geoparks Network, Prof. JIN Xiaochi congratulated at the opening ceremony the organizer and the supporting organizations on their continued endeavor of making this training course an excellent capacity building tool, which plays an increasingly critical role in raising the capability of Geopark managers and officials who are responsible for Geopark affairs, especially those in the Asia-Pacific region. APGN will continue supporting this training course, and take it as a substantial capacity-building activity of APGN.

Ms QIAN Junfei, speaks on behalf GGN President Prof. N. Zouros APGN Coordinator Prof. JIN Xiaochi of UNESCO Global Geoparks speaks at the opening speaks at the opening ceremony Secretariat and UNESCO Beijing ceremony Office

Vice-President of Chinese Mr. SHI Zhangeng, Vice Mayor Chairman of China University of Academy of Geological Sciences of Dengfeng (the Songshan Geocences (Beijing) Prof. MA Junjie UGGp) greets the participants greets the participants Prof. WU Zhenhan at the opening ceremony

The first part of the 5th training course was held in the Geosciences Convention Center, China University of Geosciences, Beijing. The lecturers are top international Geopark experts from the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, Global Geoparks Network Executive Board, universities and Geoparks. Besides many Chinese participants, there were participants from Benin, Botswana, Cote d'Ivoire, DPR Korea, Kirgizstan, Mozambique, Namibia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Uzbekistan, and . Lectures and panel discussions are on the topics of 1) UNESCO Global Geoparks - Global Geoparks Network; 2) UNESCO Global Geoparks: Philosophy and Concepts, 3) UNESCO Global Geoparks – Regional Networking and Activities; 4) UNESCO Global Geoparks: Networking, Operation and Activities; and 5) Strengthening UNESCO Global Geoparks Common Activities in Asia and Pacific region. The 1st Asia Pacific Geoparks Week – 22-28 April 2020 was introduced by Prof. Jin at a panel discussion. The panel and the audience had a good interaction, and proposed many possibilities of activities.

The second half of the 5th training course was conducted in the Songshan UGGp in Henan province. Here the emphasis was on Geosite interpretation and Geopark Museum – Visitor Center management. Methodology, facilities and successful cases of Earth heritage interpretation were explained and discussed. One day field excursion in the Songshan UGGp provided participants a chance to gain practical experience. It was also a good opportunity for the Songshan UGGp to have a health check. In addition to inspiring lectures, 5 Chinese Geoparks (Songshan, Hong Kong, , Zhangye, Xiangxi) and the Dong Van UGGp of Vietnam shared their experiences. Colleagues from Saudi Arabia, DPR Korea and the Longyan Aspiring Geopark of China presented their work on Geopark development.

2. The 10th National Conference of Japanese Geoparks Network The 10th National Conference of the Japanese Geoparks Network (JGN) was held from 2 to 5 November 2019 in Oita, . Over 1000 participants gathered from all over Japan, mainly from 9 UNESCO Global Geoparks, 35 National Geoparks and 15 aspiring Geoparks. The opening ceremony began with local traditional ‘Kitsune Odori’ fox dance performed by local residents including many children. Professor Kazuo Oike, the former president of the Japan Geopark Committee, was awarded a letter of appreciation and gratitude for his great contribution to the development of Geoparks in Japan in the past 10 years. Dr. Ka-Ming YEUNG of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark gave a presentation and shared their experiences, such as collecting oral history of locals by face to face interviews. He spoke about the importance of networking in Geoparks and how building relationships with the local people benefits both the Geopark and the locals, not only with tourism and overall Geopark involvement but also with those such as disaster response. Many students from elementary, junior high schools and high schools participated in the conference and gave oral or poster presentations. Their presentations shared activities and initiatives of their local Geoparks, as well as demonstrating the cooperation between education and Geopark activities. The conference ended with a number of tours of Geoparks in the area.

3. Programme of the 9th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks

http://www.jejuggn2020.org/program

4. APGN Calendar 2019 The 4th Regional Course on UNESCO Global Geopark 6-‒11 October Ombak Villa Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark, The 5th International Training Course on UNESCO Global 29 October-‒3 Geoparks Management and Development November China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China; Songshan UNESCO Global Geopark, Henan, China

2020 APGN Geoparks Week All members of APGN take part in various coordinated 22-‒28 April activities.

The Second International Meeting and Workshop on 22-‒23 April UNESCO Global Geoparks Development Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark, Forum of Geoparks on volcanic areas 20-‒25 August Jinpohu UNESCO Global Geopark, China 9th International Conference on Global Geoparks 14-‒22 September Jeju UNESCO Global Geopark, Korea The 5th ASEAN Training Course on UNESCO Global 5-‒9 October Geoparks Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark, Malaysia The 6th International Training Course on UNESCO Global 23-‒31 October Geoparks Management and Development China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China

 The calendar will be updated whenever there is any additional activity or change.  Geoparks are encouraged to generate new common activities, which better demonstrate the philosophy of UGGp and improve the networking and good practice sharing among geoparks.

Please send your suggestions/proposals to: [email protected]