International Course on UNESCO Global Geoparks 2025

NESCO and the Global Geoparks Network are co-organizing the International Course on UNESCO Global Geoparks 2025, dedicated to the theme “UNESCO Global Geoparks Management and Sustainability.”

The course will take place from 20 to 29 June 2025 on Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geopark (Greece) and is organized in collaboration with the University of the Aegean and the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest.

This international training programme aims to strengthen the capacities of geopark managers, geoscientists, researchers, educators, local authorities, and sustainable development practitioners involved in the management and operation of UNESCO Global Geoparks worldwide. Through a combination of lectures, workshops, field excursions, and case-study presentations, participants will gain practical knowledge and exchange experiences on key aspects of geopark management, including geoconservation, geoeducation, sustainable tourism, community engagement, interpretation of geological heritage, climate change adaptation, and the implementation of the UNESCO Global Geoparks concept at local and regional levels.

The course will provide participants with the opportunity to explore the exceptional geological heritage of Lesvos Petrified Forest, one of the most significant fossil forest sites in the world and a flagship area of the Lesvos UNESCO Global Geopark. Field activities will showcase best practices in geosite conservation, visitor management, environmental interpretation, and the integration of geological heritage into sustainable local development strategies.

Bringing together participants from different UNESCO Global Geoparks and aspiring geopark territories across the globe, the course will serve as an international platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and the development of collaborative initiatives that contribute to the achievement of the UNESCO objectives and the Global Geoparks Network vision for sustainable territorial development through Earth heritage.

Special emphasis will be given to the contribution of UNESCO Global Geoparks to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting innovative approaches that connect geological heritage conservation with biodiversity protection, cultural heritage promotion, environmental awareness, local entrepreneurship, and community resilience.