Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Despite the richness and diversity of the geological and
geomorphic resources in Africa and Middle East, few studies
have actually investigated the different dimensions of geo-
heritage, geodiversity and geotourism in these regions.
A Geoheritage Inventory for Africa and the Middle East is
underway, but is still in its early stages (Errami et al.
2013a
);
nonetheless this effort promises to
seminars, symposia, training courses and workshops
focussing on the non-professional community.
Such a network can also serve as a platform to share
ideas, exchange information on experiences, best practices,
new developments and trends in geoheritage and related
disciplines. The resulting synergies will bene
t sustainable
socio-economic development in numerous regions in Africa
and Middle East.
cant gap in our
knowledge base. National inventories are rare and limited to
a few initiatives in a handful of countries often as part of
geoheritage research activities conducted by national Geo-
logical Surveys or local universities. Despite the large
number of examples of legislation that is in place which
show that most African and the Middle East countries pos-
sess laws to protect their cultural and natural heritage, the
delay in instituting geoheritage inventories and protection as
well as effectively addressing the economic utilization of
geoheritage in Africa and the Middle East falls short when
compared to other regions of the world.
ll a signi
2.3
Definition of a Geopark
According to AGN, a geopark is an area where the geo-
heritage and all heritage components (archaeological, eco-
logical, historical, tangible and intangible cultural elements)
should be used as a tool to:
(i) improve the infrastructure of rural areas through the
development of geotourism by building roads, creating
and improving accommodation, supplying remote areas
with electricity and drinking water, creating adequate
spaces to sell local products, including the development
of museums and cultural/information centres;
(ii) enhance human development; and
(iii) promote sustainable peace in all regions of Africa and
the Middle East.
Geoparks, like other managed areas such as biosphere
reserves, national parks, and world heritage sites, should be
used as space to promote sustainable peace. Local commu-
nities should use their territories and become more involved
in their development and their protection, and thus bene
2
The African Geoparks Network (AGN)
2.1
Introduction
In order to help to improve the situation regarding geoheritage
in both Africa and the Middle East, the African Association of
Women in Geosciences (AAWG) created the African Geo-
parks Network (AGN) during the preparatory meeting of its
”
held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast May 2009 (Errami
2009
,
2013
).
This move proved successful, given widespread support and
subsequent adoption of the AGN as an af
fth conference entitled
“
Women and Geosciences for Peace
t
directly from the revenues generated by activities conducted,
such as geotourism. Geotourism is a form of tourism that
sustains and enhances the identity of a territory, taking into
consideration its geology, environment, culture, aesthetics,
heritage and the well-being of its residents (
Arouca Decla-
ration—International Congress of Geotourism, Arouca
Geopark (Portugal), 2011).
Encouraging the creation of
trans-boundary Geoparks in Africa will help address con
liate organization of
AAWG.
2.2
AGN Objectives
The aims of AGN include but are not limited to:
(i) Identifying geosites;
(ii) Making an inventory of geosites of outstanding value
in Africa and the Middle East;
(iii) Creating and maintaining dynamic GIS data bases;
(iv) Promoting and increasing the awareness amongst pol-
icy makers and the general public in Africa and the
Middle East, in particular local communities, about the
necessity for the protection of and bene
icts
by empowering local communities from different countries to
work together in managing their natural resources, and to
accept and manage their differences and diversity. Like other
managed natural or cultural areas, Geoparks could be used to
promote tolerance and a culture of dialogue between African
countries. This could be achieved through the promotion of
diversity by encouraging cultural and artistic exchange; by
promoting education, science, information sharing and crea-
tivity; by participation in effective preservation and
enhancement of natural and cultural resources through edu-
cation and the creation of museums to carry out environ-
mentally friendly and sustainable tourism development; by
creating and participating in any action that could improve the
well-being of local populations so they can live together in
ts incurred in
the utilisation of geological heritage through the crea-
tion of geoparks for local socio-economic sustainable
development; and
(v) Building the capacity of the local population in the
eld
of geoheritage and geo-conservation through a strong
network including the organization of conferences,
