Between July 12-15, 2023, volunteers from the UNESCO International Geopark Țara Hațegului, managed by the University of Bucharest, and from the aspiring UNESCO Geopark Oltenia de sub Munte, participated in the training camp for young Ambassadors of the Geopark.
The event took place on the territory of the Geopark Oltenia de sub Munte, in the town of Costești, and brought together 19 young people from the two geoparks. For the first time, young people from two Geopark territories in Romania participated this year.
Three of the participants received the title of Ambassador of the Geopark, thanks to the important activity carried out in recent years, as volunteers. The young volunteers participated in theoretical and practical workshops, addressing the following topics: “UNESCO aspiring Geopark Oltenia de sub Munte”, “The role of young people in UNESCO International Geoparks”, “Volunteers for the Geopark in Ţara Hațegului”, “Personal values and emotional education”, “How does a territory become a UNESCO International Geopark”, “Tips & tricks for a good presentation”, “Nature protection in Buila-Vânturarița National Park” or “Mountain guide”.
In addition to participating in the workshops, the volunteers had the opportunity to discover the story of the village of Costești on the route called Vatra Satului Costești, in the Geopark Oltenia de sub Munte, covering several hiking trails.
Also, the involvement and commitment of the lecturers helped young people to discover the importance of the title of Ambassador of the Geopark. Among them we mention: Florin Stoican (GAUODSM), Cristian Ciobanu (GIUTH), Bianca Iorgoni (GIUTH), Laura Istrate (freelancer), Alexandu Andrășanu (GIUTH), Alina Ciobanu (Drag de Hațeg), Monica Popescu (Buila National Park -Vânturarița), Laurentiu Bălintescu (GAUODSM).
“For me, it is always a great pleasure and joy to work with young people, for their better future. The camp of the young ambassadors was an opportunity for the young volunteers from Ţara Hațegului and Oltenia de sub Munte geoparks to get to know each other, to share their experiences, to present and get to know each other’s territories”, said Florin Stoican, director of the Geopark Oltenia de sub Munte.
“Young people must be involved in decision-making at all levels. In order to have well-trained young people who take on the representation of their community, we need to involve them, motivate them and train them. This is what happened in the Oltenia Geopark. Only by respecting the bottom-up principle of geoparks we can have youth representatives in the National Forum of Geoparks in Romania, in the European Geoparks Network and in the Global Geoparks Network”, said Cristian Ciobanu, coordinator of Ţara Hategului team of volunteers.
“I can’t name just one thing, because I had a lot to learn from all trainers. Since I became an official ambassador of the Geopark, I hope to proudly represent Hațegului Country in everything I do, to give my experience to other people, not to keep things to myself, to share them with everyone”, said Bianca, Ambassador of the Geopark.
Emanuela Opreanu and Mara Alimpescu, both from the UNESCO International Geopark Țara Hațegului, received the title of Ambassador of the Geopark based on the activities carried out. The other participants in the camp can also receive this title if, during a year, they prove their involvement in volunteering activities based on a portfolio.
“This is the first time I participate in the training camp for young Ambassadors. It was an extraordinary experience. My favorite workshop was the one with Laura Istrate, where I met my colleagues and got to know myself much better. In the future I hope to continue volunteering and meet as much as possible with young people of the Ţara Hațegului Geopark”, said Adelina Predoi, one of the youngest volunteers of the UNESCO International Geopark Ţara Hațegului.
The training camp for the young Ambassadors of the Geopark was exclusively supported by Adaconi, the company that constantly invests in young people and one of the main partners of the UNESCO International Geopark Ţara Hațegului. More information on the activities carried out by the UNESCO Geopark Ţara Hațegului of the University of Bucharest can be accessed here and here.
SECŢIUNE ACCESIBILIZATĂ PENTRU PERSOANELE CU DIZABILITĂŢI DE VEDERE
Postări asemănătoare:
Volunteers for the Geopark inventoried fossils of dwarf dinosaurs discovered in Țara Hațegului
Three Villages in Hunedoara Country on the Territory of the UNESCO International Geopark Ţara Hațegului, managed by the University of Bucharest, Will Host Award-Winning Theater Performances this Year at the UNITER Gala
A new species of fossil turtle, discovered on the territory of the UNESCO International Geopark Țara Hațegului of the University of Bucharest
Geopark Ambassadors international experience gratified by colleagues, professors and representatives of UNESCO geoparks.
