[M-IS02] IGGP of the future

[MIS02-04] Activity of the Japanese Geoparks Network and the Japan Geopark Committee -constructing good relationship between society and geoscientists-

*Mahito Watanabe¹, Seiichi Saito² (1.Institute of Geology and Geoinformation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2.Japanese Geoparks Network)

Keywords:Geopark, International Geosciences and Geoparks Program, Japanese Geoparks Network

Since its establishment in 2008 Japanese Geopark Committee (JGC) has been playing a crucial role to expand the concept of geopark and to launch geopark projects in Japan. The establishment of the JGC was top-down movement from the academic side. Stimulated by the activity of researchers, mayors and local government officers of seven national geoparks, which were authorized by JGC in 2008, established the Japanese Geoparks Network in 2009. In first few years after the establishment the JGN was not so active network. There happened little mutual cooperation through the network. Gradually networking activity enhanced thanks to the workshops during the annual conferences of JGN and the short courses held two times a year. Scientists, local guides, local governmental officers and also local people who are involved in geopark activity get together and discuss in workshops and short courses. Symposiums which are held in many national and global geoparks also provide opportunities to foster mutual cooperation between geoparks and also between scientists and local people.
Now evaluation of geoparks are conducted both JGC members and experts from JGN members. Those evaluators and candidates for new evaluators have a workshop every year to discuss how to evaluate geoparks based on the GGN guideline. Geologists and other specialists in member geoparks of the JGN plays a key part in network activity such as workshops on various themes and daily discussion by e-mail. Through the evaluation process scientists, specialist and local people can exchange their opinion on geopark.
By the process described above, JGN and JGC have been effective umbrella under which people of various back ground can cooperate for local community. JGN and JGC hve been and will play an important role to make our society more sustainable through the cooperation between earth scientists and citizens.