On 6 October 2021, the German National Committee for UNESCO Global Geoparks met for its 8th session in Schelklingen in the UNESCO Geopark Swabian Alb.
An important item on the agenda was the review of the first five years of the National Committee's work. Irmgard Maria Fellner, Chairperson of the National Committee and Commissioner for Foreign Cultural Policy of the Federal Foreign Office, was able to look back on a number of successful projects and resolutions such as the national recognition criteria for UNESCO Global Geoparks, a position paper on the expansion of wind energy and the successful recognition of further Global Geoparks in Germany.
The day before, the members of the National Committee had the opportunity to get to know the UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb in and around Schelklingen during an excursion. Among other things, the two spring pots Ach- and Urspringtopf were hiked.
The National Committee was established in 2016 under the chairmanship of the German Federal Foreign Office. At the same time, an advisory office was set up at the German UNESCO Commission in Bonn. As an expert in sustainable regional development, Dr Gehrlein has been a member of the National Committee since its inception.
More information on the German UNESCO Commission can be found here.
Contact person at IfLS: Dr. Ulrich Gehrlein (gehrlein[at]ifls.de)
