Abstract
Africa and the Middle East consist of a rich geodiversity, which is regrettably not well known by the public. This is due partly to limited research and studies undertaken in geoheritage and geoconservation in these parts of world, especially those with the intent to explore, inventory and valorize such inherent geodiversity. With the aim to improve this situation, the African Geoparks Network (AGN) was created to increase the awareness of the local population and decision makers regarding the need for sustainable use and management of geoheritage in particular for the benefit of local socio-economic sustainable development targets through the promotion of both geotourism and the creation of unique geoparks.
Résumé
L’Afrique et le Moyen-Orient sont dotés d’une riche géodiversité. Cependant, cette dernière reste mal connue par le grand public. Cette méconnaissance est en partie due au faible nombre d’études et de travaux de recherches sur le géopatrimoine et la géoconservation menés dans cette partie du monde, afin d’explorer, de découvrir, d’inventorier et de valoriser cette géodiversité. Pour aider à palier à cette situation, le Réseau Africain des Géoparcs (AGN) a été créé pour sensibiliser la population locale et les décideurs sur la nécessité de l’utilisation durable de leur géopatrimoine pour un développement socio-économique local durable à travers la promotion du géotourisme et la création des géoparcs.
ملخص
تتميز أفريقيا والشرق الأوسط بجيوتنوع غني ليس معروفا لدى الجمهور العام. ويعزى هذا الجهل جزئيا إلى العدد الصغير من الدراسات والأبحاث حول الجيوتراث والجيومحافظة التي أجريت في هذا الجزء من العالم، من أجل استكشاف واكتشاف وجرد وتعزيز هذا الجيوتنوع. و للمساهمة في تحسين هذا الوضع، تم إنشاء الشبكة الأفريقية للجيومنتزهات لتحسيس الساكنة المحلية وصانعي القرار بضرورة الاستخدام الدائم لمواقعهم الجيوتراثية من أجل تنمية سوسيو اقتصادية محلية مستدامة من خلال تعزيز الجيوسياحة وخلق جيومنتزهات.
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Acknowledgments
The first conference on geoparks in Africa and Middle East held in Morocco was supported by many national and international organisations, such as the Chouaïb Doukkali University and Faculty of Sciences (El Jadida, Morocco), UNESCO, IUGS, PETROCI Holding, the Oromin Joint Venture Group, the Doukkala-Abda Region, CNRST, the French Embassy, AMST, and the El Jadida Culture Direction, who all deserve credit and appreciation for their support. We would also like to thank the scientific committee, the organizing committee, members of the research group “Géodynamique, Géo-éducation et Patrimoine Géologique, EGGPG”, the administrative staff of the Chouaïb Doukkali University and the Geology Department colleagues for their support and their assistance during the preparation of this special event. Special thanks go to the Moroccan Embassies which facilitated visas for some participants from Africa and the Middle East. The contributing authors acknowledge and thank their host organizations and institutes for supporting work on this important issue. Special thanks go to Pippa Haarhoff, manager of the West Coast Fossil Park for having provided us with two photos from the park.
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Errami, E. et al. (2015). Geoheritage and Geoparks in Africa and the Middle-East: Challenges and Perspectives. In: Errami, E., Brocx, M., Semeniuk, V. (eds) From Geoheritage to Geoparks. Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10708-0_1
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