October 6, 2022 is the first International Geological Diversity Day in human history.  To celebrate the first International Geological Diversity Day, Alxa Desert UNESCO Global Geopark has been actively organizing geopark staff to participate in relevant activities organized by UNESCO and the Global Geopark Network.

On the morning of September 28, Alxa Desert UGGp Administration team participated in the online lecture "Globalization and Localization of Heritage Education" hosted by UNESCO China Office and the UNESCO Listed Sites Sustainable Tourism Seminar.  At the meeting, Ms. Duong Bich Hanh,Programme Specialist for Culture UNESCO Beijing Office, stressed that geological heritages are the foundation of all living creatures' habitats, and that geological diversity provides evidence for us to reconstruct the long history of the earth and the evolution of life.  Combining with international perspective and experience, Ms. Duong Bich Hanh explained how education and communication programs can enhance the appreciation and respect of the geological culture of the local people, and raise the public awareness of behaviors that may damage heritage resources, so that they can cope with heritage changes and threats.  Ms. Duong Bich Hanh took Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geoparks in Guangdong as a typical case, shared the model of integrating local’s daily life with geological education and management, to transform traditional livelihoods and improve rural scientific literacy through multi-party cooperation with villagers, enterprises and universities.

On the afternoon of 28 September, the Geopark staff participated in the online lecture on "Celebrating International Geodiversity Day" jointly organized by Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark and Association for Geoconservation Hong Kong. Professor Murray Gray from Queen Mary University of London and Director WU Shanbin from Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark were invited to deliever speech on the importance of Geo-diversity.   university students from Hong Kong were also invited to discuss the relationship between geological diversity and biodiversity.

This meeting helped Alxa Desert UGGp have a deeper understanding of the importance of geological diversity and geological education.  Next, the Geopark Administration will focus on improving geological education and community integration, and launch popular science live broadcast with the theme of "Alxa Geological Diversity" in October 2022, so as to make full use of the advantages of Alxa's rich and diverse geological resources, to promote high-quality development of geoparks.

Ms. Duong Bich Hanh,Programme Specialist for Culture UNESCO Beijing Office

Ms.CHEN Fang, (Danxiashan UGGp)

Prof. Murray Gray (Queen Mary University of London)

Mr. WU Shanbin (Hong Kong UGGp)

University students from Hong Kong