In various contexts of regional development and direct marketing, partner programmes have been common for decades and help to identify with the values of the underlying territory or organisation - the brand giver. In addition to identifying with the region, the central idea of such partner programmes is to actively shape the sustainable development of the region.
The UNESCO Global Geoparks have also been working successfully with partners, sponsors and supporters for decades. To date, there has been no official partner programme for these areas. On behalf of the German UNESCO Commission, the IfLS has therefore drawn up a brief report on a possible partner programme and conflicts with "geopark-specific" partner companies such as mining, construction and transport companies.
In the case of current economic activities, mining, construction and transport companies represent an increased conflict potential with regard to the values of UNESCO Global Geoparks. Thus, the question arises whether the activities of geopark-specific partners are compatible with sustainable regional development. Nevertheless, these partners are often closely linked to the founding of the Geopark and can make an important contribution to the partner programme in the field of knowledge transfer and identification.
When awarding partner labels or the like, it must be assessed individually whether the credibility of the UNESCO emblem and the values associated with it are fundamentally questionable in a partnership. The short report serves the internal strategic orientation of the German UNESCO Commission.
Contact persons at IfLS: Dr. Ulrich Gehrlein (gehrlein[at]ifls.de) and Nicola von Kutzleben (vonkutzleben[at]ifls.de)