Geoparks 2006
Celebrating Earth Heritage – Sustaining Local Communities

SECOND UNESCO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GEOPARKS

“Celebrating Earth Heritage – Sustaining Local Communities”

17 - 21 settembre 2006 Belfast, Northern Ireland

The Organising Committee, on behalf of the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, Fermanagh District Council and the European Geoparks Network cordially invites you to participate in the professional and social programme of the Second UNESCO International Conference on Geoparks. The conference will take place at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland from September 17 – 21, 2006 and will be preceded and succeeded by a series of excursions. The main aims of the conference are:

• To reflect on the growing development of the GEOPARK initiative accross the world and to celebrate Earth Heritage.
• To discuss mechanisms that will ensure the continued growth of the initative and the strengthening of the Global Geoparks Network.
• To examine how links between geoscientists and the tourism industry can enhance the sustainable economic development of GEOPARKS
• To discuss the economic benifit of GEOPARKS to sustaining local communities.
• To discuss methods of technique for safeguarding Geoparks geological heritage.