Science → Activities

The Global Geoparks Programme is one of the main programmes of the UNESCO Natural Sciences Sector.

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. Their bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities is becoming increasingly popular. At present, there are 161 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 44 countries.

Romania also has a designation in this prestigious network, namely the Hațeg Country UNESCO International Geopark.

The UNESCO Global Geoparks Council is responsible for assessing revalidated and new UNESCO Global Geopark nominations. It makes the decision on whether new applications should be forwarded to the Executive Board of UNESCO for endorsement. Furthermore, it has a key advising role to the Director-General of UNESCO on the strategy, planning and implementation of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Programme.

The Council consists of 12 voting members, all high-profile experts chosen for their proven experience, scientific or professional qualifications. They are appointed by the Director-General of UNESCO on recommendation of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and of Member States.

At the beginning of this year, a call was launched to invite nominations for six new candidates to the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, in replace of the experts whose term expires. We have the pleasure to announce that amongst the many applicants, Mr. Alexandru Andrășanu, Director of the Hațeg Country International Geopark, was selected to fill in one of the seats in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council for a four-year term, between September 2020 and September 2024.

Mr. Alexandru Andrășanu is Associate Professor at the University of Bucharest, a pioneer in the development of geoconservation and geoparks in Romania. He was involved in the creation of different educational and training structures, programs and cultural events, as well as in the management of more than 40 national and international projects. Since 2009 he is coordinating the Master’s program ”Applied Geo-Biology for Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation” within the University of Bucharest. He is co-founder and Director of the Hațeg Country UNESCO Global Geopark, initiator of the Buzău Land aspiring Geopark project, coordinator of the Geoparks Forum (Creative Traditions Doru Frolu) and mentor for other geopark initiatives in Romania, Denmark, Bulgaria and North Macedonia. He is member of the Coordination Committee of the European Geoparks Network, member of the Advisory Committee of the Global Geoparks Network and UNESCO expert for Global Geoparks, with missions in China, France, Greece, Morocco, Belgium, Japan, Indonesia, Italy, Nicaragua.