INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIONS FOR SCHOOLS
Presentation of the results of the International Geoparks Camp & awarding of students and teachers
The informative meeting for teachers of Lesbos on the topic "UNESCO Global Geoparks: INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIONS FOR SCHOOLS" held on Tuesday, October 29 in the event hall of the Model General High School of Mytilene of the University of the Aegean was successfully held.
The meeting was organized by the Museum of Natural History of the Lesbos Petrified Forest / Lesvos World UNESCO Geopark, the UNESCO Chair of the University of the Aegean "Geoparks and sustainable development of island and coastal areas" in collaboration with the Regional Directorate of Primary and Secondary Education of the North Aegean.
The participants were welcomed at the start of the meeting by Professor Nikolaos Zouros, Director of the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest, holder of the UNESCO Chair of the University of the Aegean.
Greetings were addressed by the Regional Director of Primary and Secondary Education of the North Aegean, Mrs. Aikaterini Strataki, the Deputy Mayor of Education of the Municipality of Mytilini, Mr. Eleftherios Kotsonis, Ms. Vera Delari, National Coordinator of the UNESCO Connected Schools Network of the Ministry of Education, Ms. Nancy Sauer, Director of the Muskau Arch UNESCO World Geopark from Germany-Poland as well as Kersten Löwen, Geologist of the Muskau Arch Geopark, organizer of the International Geopark Camp.
The meeting was honored with their presence by the representative of the Diocese of Mytilene, Father Efstratios Komninos, as well as Principals and teachers of Primary and Secondary Schools of Lesvos.
In his speech Prof. Nikolaos Zouros referred to the UNESCO World Geoparks and the actions carried out in the field of education with an emphasis on the UNESCO World Geopark of Lesvos. In his speech he emphasized that the UNESCO program "UNESCO Global Geoparks" offers a particularly interesting topic of educational activities as Geoparks are ideal destinations for the implementation of educational programs focused on the natural environment, geological monuments and biodiversity, but also on interaction with the cultural heritage of their region. At the same time, Geoparks provide the possibility of development, collaborations and participation in international educational activities, such as the Geoparks training camp.
The students Maro Athiniotou, Chariklia Kehagia and Maria Liadaki as well as the teachers Despina Stefanou and Ioulia Sarantou of the Model General Lyceum of Mytilene of the University of the Aegean, who represented the Lesbos Geopark at the UNESCO World Geoparks International Camp at the Muskau Arch UNESCO World Geopark in Germany-Poland , presented through videos with rich photographic material the activities in which they participated with the object of climate change. Then Ms. Despina Stefanou and the students of the school referred to the experiences and knowledge they gained from their participation in the International Camp of Geoparks.
Afterwards, the students and teachers of the Model General High School of Mytilene of the University of the Aegean received a commemorative diploma from their participation in the International Camp of the UNESCO Muskau Arch Global Geopark.
Then Ms. Konstantina Bendana, Head of the Department of Educational Programs of the Museum of Natural History of the Lesbos Petrified Forest, mentioned the international educational cooperation actions organized by the Museum in the Geopark of Lesbos as well as the International Essay Competition organized by the Global Network of Geoparks for the students of the 213 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 48 countries from all over the world.
The meeting ended with questions from the participating teachers, who expressed interest both in participating in the international competition organized by the Global Network of Geoparks and in participating in international educational cooperation actions with schools of other Geoparks
