On 2-4 October 2024, the 17th UNESCO European Geoparks Network Conference (EGN Conference 2024), organised by Geopark Reykjanes, took place in Keflavik, Iceland. This prestigious biennial event brings together a wide range of specialists in geotourism, geoeducation and the promotion of geological heritage.

Opening of the 17th UNESCO European Geoparks Network Conference

Participants had the opportunity to attend workshops, poster and panel sessions on topics including aspiring geoparks, the geopark community, geodiversity, geoeducation, scientific research in the geopark area, geotourism, the future of geoparks and sustainable development goals.

Poster session

During the session on geoeducation, Witold Wesołowski, MSc, from the Świętokrzyskie Branch of PGI-NRI, gave a presentation entitled ‘Valorization of field educational boards in the Holy Cross Mountains UNESCO Global Geopark (central Poland)’, developed jointly with Anna Fijałkowska-Mader, doctor habilitatus, Prof. at the PGI-NRI. The presentation stimulated a discussion on the importance of educational boards, the way they are presented and constructed.

Witold Wesołowski 

At the end of the day, a Geopark Fair was organised at the regional Duus Museum. Each participating country had a stand to present geoparks belonging to the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (GGN). During the gala celebrating the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, personal awards - diplomas - were presented to two Poles: Jacek Koźma, PhD (retired employee of the Lower Silesian Branch of PGI-NRI, associated with Muskauer Faltenbogen) and Michał Poros, MSc (Chairman of the Board of the Association of Municipalities of the Świętokrzyski Geopark, representative of Polish geoparks in the Advisory Committee of the Global Geoparks Network).

Certificates were also awarded for positively revalidated geoparks in 2023 and for geoparks newly admitted to the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, including the Polish Geopark 'Land of Extinct Volcanoes'.

On the last day of the conference, a field session was held on the Reykjanes peninsula, presenting the use of geothermal energy in Iceland.

PGI-NRI staff also had the opportunity to gain experience about the entire range of electron microscopes in production and see the production process during a visit to Tescan's factory.

Text: Witold Wesołowski
Photos: Witold Wesołowski, Michał Poros