PRESS RELEASE
The Seminar on:
«Global Geoparks Unesco» organised by the Region of Epirus in collaboration with the Vikos-Aoos UNESCO Global Geopark and Epirus S.A.
Ioannina 14.06.16 – The Workshop organised by the Epirus Region in cooperation with Vikos-Aoos Geopark and the Epirus S.A. Titled: «Global Geoparks Unesco». The event took place on Friday 10 June 2016 at the hotel You Lac at Ioannina.
At the event, which was attended by a large crowd as well as several representatives of local government and regional bodies, brief greetings were given by the following: the Mayor of Zagori, Mr. Spyrou, the Deputy Mayor of Konitsa, Mr. Kallinteris, the Head of the Regional Unit of Epirus of the IGME, Mr. Nikolaou, as well as the President of the Management Body of the Vikos-Aoos and Pindos National Parks, Mr. Mallinis.
The greetings of the President of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO, Ms. Maria-Catherine Papachristopoulos-Tzitzikosta, and the Regional Governor of Epirus, Mr. Kahrimanis, followed.
The first part of the event was cemented with the signing of a Memorandum of Mutual Understanding and Cooperation between the Region of Epirus and the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO. The Memorandum was signed by the Regional Governor, Mr. Alexandros Kahrimanis, and the President of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO, Ms. Maria-Aikaterini Papachristopoulou-Tzitzikosta.
The purpose of the Memorandum is to strengthen the conditions for the region's promotion as a cultural-tourist destination, through the projection-promotion of the Vikos-Aoos Geopark as well as all the cultural monuments and characteristics of Epirus. The Region of Epirus is the second Region, after Attica, to sign a cooperation memorandum with Unesco.
The following speech by Mr. Zourou, Professor at the University of the Aegean and President of the Global Geoparks Network, discusses the European and Global Geoparks Networks and the new «Unesco Global Geoparks» Programme, to which all existing Geopark members of the aforementioned Networks have been integrated since November 2015.
The second part of the event began with a presentation of the unique geological features and designated geotopes of the Vikos-Aoos Geopark by IGME geologist Mr. Paschos. This was followed by a speech by Mr. Perakis on the newly established Sitia Geopark, Ms. Komoutsos on the Chelmos-Vouraikos Geopark, and Mr. Zuros on the Lesvos Geopark. The event concluded with a presentation of the actions undertaken in recent years to promote the Vikos-Aoos Geopark, including the creation of thematic routes by Epirus S.A. executives Mr. Papaioannou and Ms. Kitsaki, followed by a constructive discussion with the active participation of the public.
Following the event, Mr. Zourou was given a guided tour, accompanied by representatives of the Geopark, of the Vikos-Aoos Geopark Information Centre in Papingo, as well as select thematic routes, in order to be informed about the recent initiatives to promote the Geopark area.
