Geopark, Geoconservation, Educational projects, Cultural and natural heritage, Sustainability
Abstract
Since the creation of the Global Geopark Network by UNESCO in 2004, 58 geoparks have been already established around the world, among them the first Brazilian geopark, Araripe Geopark (CE), created in 2006. The topic has increasing interest in Brazil, although there are many doubts concerning the creation process, and the obtaining of UNESCO recognition. On the other hand the role of the universities should be the promotion of debates about the many aspects which must be considered during the implantation of geoparks, such as the protection of geological heritage, the rational management of natural resources, support for the economic and cultural improvement of the communities, and most importantly, the great potential of educational projects which can be elaborated, with benefits for the formation of human resources. To achieve all this it is necessary to adopt strategies for the implantation and maintenance of these projects so that they help in conserving the geological heritage and the sustainability of the geoparks.
