On 23 September 2021, the European Federation of Geologists (EFG) and International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme, UNESCO Montevideo are organising the webinar ‘The Relationship between Mineral Resources and UNESCO Global Geoparks’. The event is scheduled for 4 – 5:30 PM CEST (Brussels time).

The Coordinator of the EFG Panel of Experts on Geological Heritage, Mónica Sousa will be the host of the webinar. Denise Gorfinkiel, Helga Chulepin and Carlos Merizalde Leiton will be the guest speakers.

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. These Geoparks are laboratories for sustainable development which promote the recognition and management of Earth heritage, and the sustainability of local communities. During the webinar, three presentations will focus on the relationship between mineral resources and the UNESCO Global Geoparks:

• How do UNESCO Global Geoparks relate to mineral resources by Denise Gorfinkiel 

• Mineral Resources and the UNESCO Global Geoparks in Latin America and the Caribbean Region by Helga Chulepin

• The Imbabura UNESCO Global Geopark of Ecuador and its relation to mineral resources by Carlos Merizalde Leiton

After the three presentations, there will be a short Q&A session.

HOST AND SPEAKERS BIOGRAPHIES

• Eurogeologist Mónica Sousa will be the host of the session. She is the Executive Director of the Portuguese Association of Geologists (APG) and the Coordinator of the EFG Panel of Experts on Geological Heritage. Mnica holds an MSc in Geological Resources and is completing her PhD in Geosciences at the University of Porto. She is co-author of geology field guides and of the book 'Geological Heritage: Geosites to visit in Portugal'. In addition to the research activities in Mineralogy, Petrology, Geochemistry and Geochronology, and her interest in geological hazards, she has dedicated particular attention to Geological Heritage, namely on the conservation, valorisation and dissemination of the Foz do Douro Metamorphic Complex. She has participated in numerous geoscientific outreach activities, promoting geoheritage and geology for society.

• Denise Gorfinkiel is the Regional Responsible for the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme at the UNESCO Regional Office for Sciences in Latin America and the Caribbean. She started working in UNESCO in 2005 where she accumulated experience in the fields of Natural Sciences, more specifically in the areas of earth science, UNESCO Global Geoparks, renewable energies, natural disasters, climate change and green economies. She holds a BA degree in International Relations from the International University of Florida and an MSc in Environmental Economics from the University of the Republic of Uruguay. In the latter, holding different positions as a professor and researcher, and working in issues such as environment, economics, and climate change, integrated management for sustainable development, governance and cooperation.

• Geologist Helga Chulepin is as mining engineer. She is an expert on sustainable development, natural resources and community relations. She is a council member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks and the Climate Change, Risk and Resilience Technical Assessment group of UNESCO Latin America and the Caribbean. She is an Evaluator for the Application and Revalidation Missions of the UNESCO Global Geoparks. As a Geopark expert, she has participated in several meetings as a speaker and advisor in several countries.

• Carlos Merizalde Leiton is the Director of International Cooperation and Coordinator of the Interinstitutional Committee for the Management of the Imbabura Geopark. He holds a Master’s Degree in Educational and Social Project Management from Universidad Técnica del Norte. He graduated as Commercial Engineer in the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Ibarra Campus. Since 2015 he has been promoting, with the Management Committee, the cause Imbabura UNESCO Global Geopark, achieving international accreditation in April 2019. Carlos is a member of the Coordination Board of the Geoparks Network of Latin America and the Caribbean – GeoLAC.