5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
[MZZ45-P09] Case Study of Collaboration Between Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark and the Youth Generation
Keywords:Geopark, UNESCO, Youth, Technology
Introduction
Itoigawa City in Niigata Prefecture is rich in geological resources, including the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line, a major fault line that divides the Japanese archipelago from east to west, and the national stone jade. 2009 was the first year that the entire city was designated a Itoigawa Global Geopark, and it has been developing community development activities that make the most of its geological heritage. One of the city's unique initiatives is “integrated education for children from 0 to 18 years old,” which provides consistent education tailored to the developmental status of children, with Geopark learning as a pillar of the program.
However, since there is no university in the city, there existed a problem that the connection of Geopark activities with the youth generation (18 to 29 years old) after graduating from high school is weak.
Involvement of the Youth Committee of Japanese National Commission for UNESCO in Geopark Activities
A new development to address this issue is to collaborate with the members of the Youth Committee of Japanese National Commission for UNESCO.
In October 2022, they participated in the 12th National Convention of Japan Geoparks at Hakusan Tedorigawa Geopark, and assisted in organizing the youth session. As adults closest in age to the participants, their attentive support for the students' efforts facilitated the operation of the program and contributed to raising participants' awareness.
Afterwards, two members of the Youth Committee of Japanese National Commission for UNESCO visited the Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark to discuss the possibility of Geopark activities involving the youth generation, and proposed the need to “create opportunities to foster civic pride among students” and “create opportunities for interaction between young people in Itoigawa and the world through the youth generation's promotion of attractions.
Collaboration with Nagaoka University of Technology development of VR educational material contents
The collaboration with the Youth Committee of Japanese National Commission for UNESCO members led to the establishment of a cooperative relationship with Nagaoka University of Technology in Niigata Prefecture, where students and faculty visited Itoigawa in January 2024 to discuss SNS information dissemination from the youth generation's perspective and explore its potential through a site visit. Guided by a museum curator, the students toured the Fossa Magna Museum, visited geo-sites, and searched for stones on the beach. The survey was conducted twice, once in winter and once in summer. Through this field survey, the geological features and attractions of Itoigawa and various issues in the geosite tour were identified.
Nagaoka University of Technology is currently developing a “Jade Search Experience Using VR Educational Materials". This VR experience is expected to help disseminate new attractions of the Itoigawa Geopark as an easy-to-enjoy educational material for jade hunting.
Future Prospects
There are no universities in the Itoigawa city, and connections with the youth generation have been weak. However, through collaboration with the Youth Committee of Japanese National Commission for UNESCO members and Nagaoka University of Technology, new possibilities have opened up. In particular, their flexible and creative ideas and proposals from diverse perspectives have become valuable resources in communicating the attractiveness of the Geopark. Through these collaborations, we hope to develop more attractive and meaningful Geopark activities.
Itoigawa City in Niigata Prefecture is rich in geological resources, including the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line, a major fault line that divides the Japanese archipelago from east to west, and the national stone jade. 2009 was the first year that the entire city was designated a Itoigawa Global Geopark, and it has been developing community development activities that make the most of its geological heritage. One of the city's unique initiatives is “integrated education for children from 0 to 18 years old,” which provides consistent education tailored to the developmental status of children, with Geopark learning as a pillar of the program.
However, since there is no university in the city, there existed a problem that the connection of Geopark activities with the youth generation (18 to 29 years old) after graduating from high school is weak.
Involvement of the Youth Committee of Japanese National Commission for UNESCO in Geopark Activities
A new development to address this issue is to collaborate with the members of the Youth Committee of Japanese National Commission for UNESCO.
In October 2022, they participated in the 12th National Convention of Japan Geoparks at Hakusan Tedorigawa Geopark, and assisted in organizing the youth session. As adults closest in age to the participants, their attentive support for the students' efforts facilitated the operation of the program and contributed to raising participants' awareness.
Afterwards, two members of the Youth Committee of Japanese National Commission for UNESCO visited the Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark to discuss the possibility of Geopark activities involving the youth generation, and proposed the need to “create opportunities to foster civic pride among students” and “create opportunities for interaction between young people in Itoigawa and the world through the youth generation's promotion of attractions.
Collaboration with Nagaoka University of Technology development of VR educational material contents
The collaboration with the Youth Committee of Japanese National Commission for UNESCO members led to the establishment of a cooperative relationship with Nagaoka University of Technology in Niigata Prefecture, where students and faculty visited Itoigawa in January 2024 to discuss SNS information dissemination from the youth generation's perspective and explore its potential through a site visit. Guided by a museum curator, the students toured the Fossa Magna Museum, visited geo-sites, and searched for stones on the beach. The survey was conducted twice, once in winter and once in summer. Through this field survey, the geological features and attractions of Itoigawa and various issues in the geosite tour were identified.
Nagaoka University of Technology is currently developing a “Jade Search Experience Using VR Educational Materials". This VR experience is expected to help disseminate new attractions of the Itoigawa Geopark as an easy-to-enjoy educational material for jade hunting.
Future Prospects
There are no universities in the Itoigawa city, and connections with the youth generation have been weak. However, through collaboration with the Youth Committee of Japanese National Commission for UNESCO members and Nagaoka University of Technology, new possibilities have opened up. In particular, their flexible and creative ideas and proposals from diverse perspectives have become valuable resources in communicating the attractiveness of the Geopark. Through these collaborations, we hope to develop more attractive and meaningful Geopark activities.