International Geopark conferences are held annually and both applicant Geoparks and those granted UNESCO Global Geopark status are required to participate. Every other year, the conference is organized by the Global Geoparks Network (GGN), every other year the European Geoparks Network (EGN) is responsible for organizing the conference. This year, the conference is organized by the Jeju Island UNESCO Global Geopark (GGN) in South Korea and will be held on 14-16.12.2021 December XNUMX. Participation in the conference will be exceptionally digital and the speeches have been sent in advance as videos. Speakers will be prepared to answer questions after their presentations.

This time, Kaisa Törmä, lecturer in languages ​​and social studies from Kankaanpää, and Marketta Nummijärvi, development manager of the city of Kauhajoki and chairwoman of the Geopark Association, will be speaking about Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas UNESCO Global Geopark. Kaisa Törmä's presentation will be heard on Tue 14.12. afternoon, Marketta Nummijärvi will speak on Wed 15.12. morning.

Kaisa Törmä talks about environmental education initiatives and projects related to the Geopark, which are being piloted by Kankaanpää Secondary School and Honkajoki Upper Secondary School. An international Geoeducation project is underway in the area, which also includes two cooperating Geoparks from Europe. Törmä also talks about, among other things, Honkajoki's new ecological school and its yard, which has been harnessed for learning purposes with its various growing environments and augmented reality information boards.

Marketta Nummijärvi will present Kauhajoki's community-based film production, where a video series produced by local experts was compiled into the film These Lands, These Mannut – Our Kauhajoki. She will also present, among other things, Geopark's successful advertising film In a blink of an Eye, in the production of which many entrepreneurs from the area were also involved.

Geopark conferences usually present not only Geopark sites but also various innovations related to sustainable tourism, environmental education, local cooperation, geoprotection and even natural hazard management. The presentations are excellent places for learning, as they usually present easily replicable operating models and outputs. The presentations from Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark also tell about regional innovations, how the Geopark
The values ​​of geological, natural and cultural heritage and knowledge of beautiful nature and landscapes are conveyed to both locals and tourists. Both performances are sure to arouse positive interest among a global audience.

For more information:
Terttu Hermansson, Executive Director, Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas UNESCO Global Geopark, [email protected], tel. 040 6757 363
Marketta Nummijärvi, Chairwoman of LH Geopark ry, Development Manager of the City of Kauhajoki, [email protected], 040 481 0003
Kaisa Törmä, Lecturer in Languages ​​and Social Studies, City of Kankaanpää, [email protected]

Photo: Seija Sairanen / Honkajoki Upper Secondary School students planting useful plants in the school grounds