Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Discover the laureates of the 25th L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards

Discover the laureates of the 25th L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards

Paris, June 1, 2023 The Fondation L'Oréal and UNESCO are proud to announce the five 2023 laureates of the For Women in Science International Awards. On 15th June, the Fondation L'Oréal and UNESCO will honor these distinguished women scientists from five major regions of the world with exceptional careers for the contribution to society of their research in Physical sciences, Mathematics and Computer science.

The unique ceremony, which will take place at UNESCO's Headquarters in Paris, will also be the opportunity to celebrate 25 years of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Program, which has become well renowned for recognizing the scientific excellence of female researchers at national, regional and international levels.

THE WINNERS OF THE 25TH L'ORÉAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

The five 2023 laureates were chosen by an independent jury presided over by Professor Artur Avila, Professor at Institute of Mathematics University of Zurich (Switzerland), Extraordinary Researcher at IMPA (Instituto de Mathematica Pura e Aplicada) Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Fields medal winner in 2014, for the 25th L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards, in the fields of Physical science, Mathematics and Computer science.

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LAUREATE FOR AFRICA AND THE ARAB STATE

Professor Suzana Nunes - Chemistry

Professor of Chemical and Environmental Science and Engineering, Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia

Prof. Suzana Nunes is awarded for her outstanding work in developing innovative membrane filters to achieve highly efficient chemical separations with a lower carbon footprint. Her research has proven to be particularly beneficial to the water, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries in achieving a more sustainable environment.

 

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LAUREATE FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Professor Anamaría Font - Physics

Professor of Physics, Central University of Venezuela

Prof. Anamaría Font is awarded for her important contributions in theoretical particle physics, in particular to the study of String Theory. Her research has furthered the theory's implications for the structure of matter and quantum gravity, which is also relevant to the description of black holes and the first instants after the big bang.

 

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LAUREATE FOR NORTH AMERICA

Professor Aviv Regev - Bioinformatics   

Executive Vice President and Global Head of Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech/Roche, San Francisco

Prof. Aviv Regev is awarded for her pioneering work applying mathematics and computer science to revolutionize cell biology. Her research enables scientists to discover and characterize the trillions of cells within the body and enhances scientists' ability to decipher and target the mechanisms that cause disease, in order to develop better diagnostics and therapies.

 

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LAUREATE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

Professor Lidia Morawska - Earth and environmental science

Distinguished Professor, School of Earth Sciences and Climate, Queensland University of Technology, Australia and Director of the International Laboratory for air quality and health

Prof. Lidia Morawska is awarded for her excellent research in the field of air pollution and its impact on human health and the environment, with a specific focus on atmospheric particulate matter. Her extraordinary dedication and impact have built a bridge from fundamental science to real-world policy and practice to provide clean air for all.

 

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LAUREATE FOR EUROPE

Professor Frances Kirwan - Mathematics

Savilian Professor of Geometry, University of Oxford

Prof. Frances Kirwan is recognized for her exceptional work in pure mathematics combining geometry and algebra in order to develop techniques to understand the classification of geometric objects. These techniques have been used by theoretical physicists searching for mathematical descriptions of our universe. Her recent work has the potential to help scientists to extract crucial information from large complex data sets.

 

25 YEARS TO PROMOTE WOMEN IN SCIENCE

For 25 years, the Fondation L'Oréal and UNESCO have worked together to promote women in science through the For Women in Science International Awards, and the Young Talents Programs, putting women scientists in the spotlight and contributing to breaking the glass ceiling in science.

"I gained significant visibility in Canada and internationally as a result of the For Women In Science award, which opened more doors in science, engineering and biomedical research," explains Prof. Molly Shoichet from Canada, the International Laureate for North America in 2015.

For the young women scientists, obtaining recognition through the Young Talents program is often decisive, as it encourages them to pursue their career path: "I was thinking of abandoning science. This award changed my life. I'm thriving now as a woman in science and am very grateful for this support" explains Dr Mónica López Hidalgo (Mexico), recipient of the Young Talents Award in 2017.

It also enables them to build self-confidence and leadership skills: "This award came at a key moment in my life which allowed me to have confidence in myself and to continue in the world of research" reports Dr Lucie Barblu-Levast (France), who won the Young Talents Award in 2018.

Since its creation, the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program has:

Honored more than 4100 women scientists,

including 127 International Laureates

and more than 4000 young female researchers.

52 programs in more than 110 countries.

Nearly 50 scientific partner institutions.

More than 500 scientists involved each year.

PROMOTING THE INCLUSION OF WOMEN SCIENTISTS

At the end of the 1990s, women represented 27% of researchers worldwide. In 2014, this percentage increased to 30%, and today, one researcher in three is a woman (33%).[1] Although the number of women pursuing scientific careers is gradually rising, in the domain of research, this progress is very insufficient. Furthermore, the glass ceiling remains a reality: only 18% of senior scientific roles are held by women in Europe, and only 12% of the members of national science academies globally are women. Meanwhile, less than 4%[2] of Nobel Prizes in natural sciences have been awarded to women.

Alexandra Palt, Executive Director of the Fondation L'Oréal observes that: "In the time of a generation, the For Women in Science program has contributed to creating a real transformation by raising the profile of women representing every continent and breaking new ground in all disciplines. However, while we are conscious of the progress we have made, we remain determined, as the task remains significant. The presence of women in science and particularly in senior positions is still too low due to the gender inequality and discrimination they still have to face. We cannot encourage young women to direct their paths towards a scientific career without the assurance that they will be able to flourish with freedom and in complete safety in their workplace. Our most important mission is to promote, raise awareness of and support researchers, so that they can contribute fully to resolving the great challenges of our time and inspire future generations."

For Xing Qu, Deputy Director General of UNESCO: "These last years have demonstrated more than ever the importance of science to address the serious challenges facing the world today.  In order for science to be effective, it must be able to draw on the talents of all of us. UNESCO, as the agency of the United Nations with the specific mandate for science and which has made gender equality one of its global priorities, is determined to act to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls. The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Program is a perfect example of a partnership giving a voice and visibility to the outstanding work and research of many women scientists which addresses the challenges of our century. Th 25th L'Oréal-UNESCO International Awards ceremony celebrates talented women who excel in scientific fields that are fundamental to all our futures."

About L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards

The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards honors five distinguished women scientists each year for the excellence of their work and their outstanding careers – one for each of the following five regions: Africa and the Arab States; Asia and the Pacific; Europe; Latin America and the Caribbean; and North America. Each woman scientist has followed a unique journey combining an exceptional talent, a profound commitment to their profession and remarkable courage in a field still largely dominated by men.

The scientific disciplines for which the awards are given alternate between life and environmental sciences (even years) and physical science, mathematics and computer science (odd years).

About Fondation L'Oréal

The Fondation L'Oréal supports and empowers women to shape their future and make a difference in society, focusing on three major areas: scientific research and inclusive beauty and climate action.

Since 1998, the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program has worked to empower more women scientists to overcome barriers to progression and participate in solving the great challenges of our time, for the benefit of all. For 25 years, it has supported more than 4,100 women researchers from over 110 countries, rewarding scientific excellence and inspiring younger generations of women to pursue science as a career.

Convinced that beauty contributes to the process of rebuilding lives, the Fondation L'Oréal helps vulnerable women to improve their self-esteem through free beauty and wellness treatments. It also enables underprivileged women to gain access to employment with dedicated vocational beauty training. On average, around 16,000 people have access to these free treatments every year and more than 35,000 people have taken part in professional beauty training, since the beginning of the program.

Finally, women are affected by persistent gender-based discrimination and inequalities, exacerbated by climate change. While they are on the frontline of the crisis, they remain under-represented in climate decision-making. The Women and Climate program of the Fondation L'Oréal supports, in particular, women who are developing climate action projects addressing the urgent climate crisis and raises awareness of the importance of gender-sensitive climate solutions.

About UNESCO

Since its creation in 1945, UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has worked to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based on respect for common values.

UNESCO's mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through its unique expertise in education, science, culture, communication and information. The Organization has two global priorities: Africa and gender equality. UNESCO is the only UN specialized agency with a specific mandate in the sciences, symbolized by the «S» in its acronym.

Through its science-related programs, UNESCO contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, helps developing countries building? their scientific and technological capacities, and supports Member States in their efforts to develop science policies and programs, as well as effective public policies that integrate local and indigenous knowledge systems.

UNESCO promotes scientific research and expertise in developing countries. The Organization leads several intergovernmental programs on sustainable management of freshwater, ocean and terrestrial resources, biodiversity conservation, and the use of science to address climate change and disaster risk reduction.

PRESS CONTACTS

UNESCO

Clare O'Hagan, c.o-hagan@unesco.org, +33145681729

FONDATION L'ORÉAL

Victoria Daumesnil : victoria.daumesnil@jaycommunication.com +33 683 002 780

Laurence Delval : laurence.delval@jaycommunication.com + 33 682 529 847

Juliette Jacovidis : juliette.jacovidis@jaycommunication.com +33 648 498 315

Maeva Corbel : maevacorbelrp@gmail.com +33 769 799 719


[1]To be intelligent, the digital revolution must be inclusive, third chapter of UNESCO's Science Report : La course contre la montre pour un développement plus intelligent

[2] Source : Prix Nobel



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UNESCO, 7, place de Fontenoy, PARIS, NA FRANCE France

49th STIP Forum Lecture on India's Quantum Mission | 1st June at 15:00 IST

49th STIP Forum Lecture on India's Quantum Mission 

by Prof. Urbasi Sinha, RRI Bengaluru 

Date: 1st June 2023 at 15.00-16.00 IST (in virtual mode)


Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3OF6lB0

Sunday, May 28, 2023

CSRD Talk on Fighting for Our Rivers and Glaciers by Maj. Gen. Brajesh Kumar & Dr. Rasik Ravindra

Celebrating the World Environment Day | June 5
SaGAA collaborates with CSRD, JNU

Venue: Cartography Lab, CSRD, JNU
Date: May 29, 2023 at 15:30

Talk on 
Fighting for Our Rivers and Glaciers
By
Maj. Gen. Brajesh Kumar and Dr. Rasik Ravindra

Welcome Address: Prof. D. N. Das, Rector-II, JNU
Moderator: Prof.  Milap Punia, Chairperson, CSRD, JNU
 
Maj. Gen. Brajesh Kumar: A war veteran from Corps of Engineers; former Director General Works, Indian Army, he was responsible for Military Infrastructure Requirements of the Defence Services & Strategic Forces. During his 39 years of active service, he was actively involved with the development of strategic border infrastructure, along India's Northern and North Eastern borders & Andaman Group of islands, as well as creation of military infrastructure facilities in support of India's military diplomatic initiative(s) overseas. A recipient of distinguished service awards of Vishisht Seva Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of India in 2010 and 2011 respectively. He is associated with a few NGOs such as INTACH, Johar HMO and the Atulya Ganga Foundation which is promoting sustainable development in Ganga basin.
 
Dr. Rasik Ravindra, Chairman SaGAA, Former Director, NCPOR: Dr. Rasik Ravindra is the current Chairman of the Society of Earth Scientists (of India), the Senior Vice President of LIGHTS, and a Member of the Research Advisory Committees of WIHG and NCPOR. Dr Ravindra was Chairman of the DST constituted Program Monitoring Committee on Dynamics of Himalayan Glaciers (2007-2012) and was appointed Chair, Panikkar Professor, in October 2012 by MoES.

CSSS Lecture on "Platform Capitalism in India" by Vibodh Parthasarathi

Centre for the Study of Social Systems
School Of Social Sciences
Jawaharlal Nehru University

A Special Lecture by
Vibodh Parthasarathi
On 
Platform Capitalism in India

Tuesday, May 30, 2023 11 A.M.
Venue: Lecture Hall 1, SSS-1, JNU, New Delhi
About the speaker: Vibodh Parthasarathi maintains a multidisciplinary interest in media policy, digital transitions, and policy literacy. Vibodh is associate professor at the Centre for Culture, Media and Governance, Jamia Millia Islamia, and visiting fellow at the Centre for Media, Data and Society, Central European University. He has been a visiting scholar at KU Leuven, University of Queensland, University of Helsinki, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, besides being an affiliate scholar at SASNET, Lund University.
Coordinator: Dr. Manoj Kumar Jena

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Demonstration of "Anuvadini: Global Voice and Document Translation Tool" | 25 May at 11:30 am, JNU Convention Centre

Demonstration of "Anuvadini: Global Voice and Document Translation Tool" | 25 May at 11:30 am, JNU Convention Centre

UNESCO names 18 new Global Geoparks

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PRESS RELEASE
 
UNESCO names 18 new Global Geoparks
 
Paris, 24 May – UNESCO's Executive Board has endorsed the addition of 18 sites to the UNESCO Global Geoparks network. This brings the total number of geoparks to 195 in 48 countries. Two UNESCO Member States join the network: New Zealand and the Philippines.
 

The UNESCO Global Geopark label was created in 2015. It recognizes geological heritage of international significance. Geoparks serve local communities by combining the conservation of their significant geological heritage with public outreach and a sustainable approach to development. The 18 new designations have brought the network up to 195 UNESCO Global Geoparks, covering a total surface area of 486 709 km2, equivalent to twice the size of the United Kingdom.

 
 

The new geoparks are:

 

Brazil: Caçapava UNESCO Global Geopark

For the Guarani, an indigenous people in Brazil, this geopark is 'the place where the jungle ends'. The geopark is located in Rio Grande do Sul State in southernmost Brazil. Its geological heritage, which consists of mining sulfide metals and marble, has been vital for the region's economic development. The sedimentary deposits of volcanic origin in the Camaquã basin represent the most complete and well-exposed record of the transition of the South American Platform from the Ediacaran period to the Cambrian period between 600 and 500 million years ago. Ediacarans were the earliest known animals. These soft-bodied marine organisms were similar to modern-day species such as jellyfish. Besides its geodiversity, the geopark is home to endangered cacti, bromeliads, endemic flowers and bee species. The native shrublands and grasslands that surround the bare rock hills preserve a sustainable livelihood, that of family-based sheep and goat breeding. The geopark's scenic hills served as natural military fortifications from the medieval to early–modern period.

Brazil: Quarta Colônia UNESCO Global Geopark

This geopark is located in the south of Brazil between the Pampa and Atlantic Forest biomes. Its name is a reference to the period when Italians colonised the central part of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Thousands of European settlers placed their hopes and dreams in this "promising land" which borders a dense subtropical forest and lies between the deep fault valleys carved by a broad drainage network on the slope of the Serra Geral mountain range. There are colonial villas and traces of indigenous settlements of the quilombolas (Afro-descendants)which date back hundreds of years. The geopark is also rich in fossils of animal and plant life dated to 230 million years ago. It holds the record for the oldest dinosaurs on the planet, with Triassic fossils of great international significance. 

Greece: Lavreotiki UNESCO Global Geopark

Famous for the abundance and variety of its mineralogical specimens, many of which were first discovered in the area, this geopark is known around the world for the silver that is extracted from mixed sulfide deposits. The region has been inhabited since antiquity due to its underground geological wealth, and is currently home to 25 102 inhabitants. Lavreotiki UNESCO Global Geopark also houses the Byzantine Holy Monastery of St Paul the Apostle. The monastery continues to promote 'Orthodox monasticism' and practice fresco mural painting, a traditional technique which uses natural colours ground from rock.

Indonesia: Ijen UNESCO Global Geopark

This geopark is located in the Banyuwangi and Bondowoso Regencies in East Java Province. The geopark's strategic location between the strait and the sea has made it a crossroads for human migration and commerce. Ijen is one of the most active volcanoes in the Ijen caldera system. About 22 post-caldera volcanic cones have formed both inside the caldera and on its rim. Ijen is the most acidic crater lake on Earth and the largest of its kind. Thanks to a rare phenomenon, high concentrations of sulphur rise from the active crater before igniting as they encounter the oxygen-rich atmosphere; as the gas burns, it forms an electric blue flame which is unique and only visible at night. The water itself is acidic because it is recycled by seeping into the volcanic subsurface.

 

Indonesia: Maros Pangkep UNESCO Global Geopark

This geopark is located along the southern arm of the island of Sulawesi in the Maros and Pangkep Regencies. The local population is primarily composed of the indigenous peoples of Bugis and Makassarese. Although the geopark covers an area of 5 077 km2, more than half (55.4%) of it lies underwater. Separate from the mainland, the geopark area contains a cluster of 39 islands. This archipelago lies in the Coral Triangle and serves as a centre for the conservation of coral reef ecosystems. The geopark is known both for its Spectacular Karst Towers and for the Coral Reef Islands of Spermonde. The area covered by the geopark is more than 100 million years old; it bears traces of ancient life forms and is home to endemic species such as the black macaque and kuskus bear that live along the Wallace line (named after Alfred Russel Wallace, who came to similar conclusions about evolution as his contemporary, Charles Darwin), the deep sea trench separating the island of Borneo from the island of Sulawesi. The land to the west lies on the Asian continental tectonic plate, whereas the land to the east lies on the Australian continental plate; this accounts for the diversity of species found on these neighbouring islands.

 

Indonesia: Merangin Jambi UNESCO Global Geopark

This geopark is home to the unique fossils of "Jambi flora", which are the only exposed fossilized plants of their kind in the world today. These are located in the central part of Sumatra Island in Indonesia. The name 'Jambi flora' refers to fossilized plants found as part of a rock formation dating from the Early Permian (296 million years old). These fossilized plants include mosses, primitive conifers and seed ferns, which reproduce via seed dispersal instead of through spores. The landscape of this geopark combines lowlands on the east side with highlands on the west side, with the highest peak rising to an altitude of 2 900 m above sea level on Mount Masurai, which was formed by a large eruption 33,000 years ago. The area has been inhabited since the prehistoric era and is home to different indigenous groups, including the Orang Batin Lamo tribe and the Serampas clan. The geopark is home to a karst landscape which formed during the Mesozoic era (252–66 million years ago). The karst caves contain prehistoric artefacts that are part of an important archaeological research project.

Indonesia: Raja Ampat UNESCO Global Geopark

This geopark's territory includes four main islands and is special for having the oldest exposed rock unit in the country (Silurian–Devonian dating back 443.8–358.9 million years ago), which is almost one-tenth of the age of the Earth. The most unusual geological feature are the Tropical Islands which emerged as a consequence of sea-level rise in the Quaternary Period (between 2.58 million years ago and 11 700 years ago); here, karstification has created numerous caves both above and below the water line. Karst is made of limestone, which is a soft and porous rock that dissolves in water. As rainwater seeped into the rock over time, this rock slowly eroded, creating these caves. Scuba-divers flock to the area, drawn by the beauty of the underwater caves and the extraordinary marine mega-biodiversity. Here, they can observe rock art produced by prehistoric humans who lived in the area several thousand years ago.

 

Iran: Aras UNESCO Global Geopark

The Aras River marks the northern limit of this geopark located in northwestern Iran at the southern end of the Lesser Caucasus mountain range. This mountain range acts as a natural barrier. It has created a range of climates, as well as rich geodiversity and biodiversity; it also links different cultures on the northern and southern sides of the mountain chain. The most important geological feature of international significance in this geopark are the traces of the extinction event that occurred 252 million years ago which marks the Permian–Triassic Boundary, one of the most important events in the Earth's history. The geopark is also home to endangered animals such as the Caucasian Black Grouse, Red Deer, Armenian Ram and Caucasian Leopard, which inhabit three protected areas.

 

Iran: Tabas UNESCO Global Geopark

Many thinkers have referred to the 22 771 km2 of desert in northwest South Khorasan Province where this geopark is located as 'the geological paradise of Iran'. This is due to the fact that one can follow the evolution of the planet from the earliest part of the Earth's history 4.6 billion years ago (the Precambrian) to the Early Cretaceous about 145 million years ago without the slightest interruption. The geopark is home to Naybandan Wildlife Refuge, the largest in Iran, which covers an area of 1.5 million hectares and is the most important habitat of the Asian cheetah. Tabas UNESCO Global Geopark provides half of the global habitat of the endemic plant Ferula assa-foetida, which is widely used for medicinal purposes. Throughout history, the area has served as a highway linking the south and west to east and northeast Iran. Consequently, it attracts ecotourists for both its valuable natural and cultural heritage.

 

Japan: Hakusan Tedorigawa UNESCO Global Geopark

Located in central Japan, where it follows the Tedori River from Mount Hakusan down to the sea, the Hakusan Tedorigawa Geopark records approximately 300 million years of history. It contains rocks that were formed by the collision of continents. It also has strata containing fossils of dinosaurs which accumulated in rivers and lakes on land at a time when Japan was attached to the Eurasian continent. Volcanic deposits formed during the rifting process which separated Japan from the Eurasian continent about 15 million years ago, as the subducting plates pulled Japan eastward. More recent volcanic deposits date from the eruption of the still-active Mount Hakusan, one of Japan's 'Three Holy Mountains'. Rising 2 702 m above sea level, it records some of the highest levels of snowfall in the world for a mountain so close to the Equator. This heavy snowfall drives a water and erosion cycle that is continuously shaping the landscape.

Malaysia: Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark

Mount Kinabalu dominates this geopark in the State of Sabah at the northern end of the island of Borneo. The highest mountain lying between the Himalayas and New Guinea, Mount Kinabalu has been attracting explorers for over a century. Covering an area of 4 750 km2, the geopark is home to many endemic plants and animals, including 90 orchid species that exist only on Mount Kinabalu, and the crimson-headed partridge bird not found anywhere else on Earth. The geopark features incredible geodiversity, including ultramafic rocks which are billions of years old; Ultramafic rocks make up the Earth's mantle but sometimes rise to the surface during a volcanic eruption. Granite intrusions are also visible on the surface: during a volcanic eruption, most magma never rises to the surface but, rather, remains hidden inside the crust where it solidifies into intrusive igneous rocks like granite. The geopark also features unique landforms that include the Poring Hot Springs and the Ranau-Tambunan area, which consists of folded and faulted sedimentary rocks.

New Zealand: Waitaki Whitestone UNESCO Global Geopark

New Zealand's first UNESCO Global Geopark lies on the east coast of the South Island, extending over an area of 7 214 km2 from the Waitaki Valley to the base of the Southern Alps. The landscapes, rivers and tides of this geopark have enormous cultural significance for the local indigenous people, the Ngāi Tahu whānui. The geopark offers exceptional insights into the history of the Earth's eighth continent, Zealandia, or Te Riu-a-Māui in Maori. The geopark provides evidence of the formation of Zealandia, which broke away from the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana around 80 million years ago. The continent then became submerged under the ocean for millions of years before tectonic forces thrust New Zealand above the waves and the country's current mountain-building phase began. Today, about 94% of Zealandia remains submerged, stretching from east of New Zealand all the way north to New Caledonia.

Norway: Sunnhordland UNESCO Global Geopark

The landscapes in this geopark range from glacier-covered alpine mountains to archipelagos with thousands of islands situated on the strandflat along the coast. The geological landscape displays textbook examples of glacial erosion that occurred during 40 ice ages. The Hardangerfjord Fault separates a billion years of geological evolution. The geopark showcases how volcanic systems build continents: at the place where two tectonic plates converge, the compressed plate crumples before being uplifted to form a mountain range in a process known as orogeny. Two of the largest orogenic belts on Earth meet in the geopark. On the south side lie rocks related to a continental volcanic arc (1.5 billion years ago) and, on the north side, lies bedrock from the oceanic crust and an island arc system (500–450 million years ago).

Philippines: Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark

The Philippines' first UNESCO Global Geopark, Bohol Island, sits in the Visayas island group. The island's geological identity has been pieced together over 150 million years, as periods of tectonic turbulence have raised the island from the ocean depths. Traces of the island's subterranean past can be found in the limestone which forms characteristic karstic structures. The geopark abounds in karstic geosites such as caves, sinkholes and cone karst, including the famous cone-shaped Chocolate Hills in the centre of the geopark. The Danajon Double Barrier Reef along the northern coast is the only one of its kind in Southeast Asia and one of just six documented double barrier reefs on Earth; it provides visitors with a chance to discover 6 000 years of coral growth. Danajon Double Barrier Reef consists of two sets of large offshore coral reefs which were formed by a combination of favourable tidal currents and coral growth on a submarine ridge in the area.

 

Republic of Korea: Jeonbuk West Coast UNESCO Global Geopark

This geopark tells 2.5 billion years of well-exposed geological history in the western part of the country. The vast tidal flats dotted with volcanoes and islands allow us to travel through time to piece together elements of the Earth's history. The Korean word for tidal flats is 'getbol'. The Gochang Getbol is one of 19 coastal wetland areas in the world with a tidal range greater than 5 m (macrotidal). Up to 40 m of mud sediment layers have been forming for 8 500 years, making this one of the thickest tidal sediment layers in the world, rich in sediments from the Holocene, which began 12 000–11 500 years ago. Jeonbuk West Coast UNESCO Global Geopark has already been recognized by UNESCO as a natural and cultural World Heritage property and as a biosphere reserve. It has also been designated a Ramsar site for its exceptional wetlands.

Spain: Cabo Ortegal UNESCO Global Geopark

Take a journey into the interior of our planet by discovering rocks that emerged from the depths of the Earth almost 400 million years ago in what is now Cabo Ortegal UNESCO Global Geopark. This geopark provides some of the most complete evidence in Europe of the collision that caused Pangea, a process known as the Variscan Orogeny. Most of the rocks in this geopark were brought to the surface by the collision of two continents, Laurussia and Gondwana, which would eventually join the supercontinent Pangaea about 350 million years ago. When this collision occurred, these rocks were situated in the Earth's upper mantle, at a depth of more than 70 km. The copper exploited in the geopark's mines originated from intense thermal activity on the seabed, where volcanic chimneys – called fumaroles – released gases and minerals at a high temperature which then cooled upon contact with water.

Thailand: Khorat UNESCO Global Geopark

This geopark is mostly located in the LamTakhong river basin on the southwestern margin of the Khorat Plateau in Nakhon Ratchasima Province in northeast Thailand. Deciduous dipterocarp forests are the dominant forest type in the area. The unique geological feature of the region is the diversity and abundance of fossils ranging in age from 16 million to 10 000 years. A large range of dinosaurs and other animal fossils like ancient elephants have been found in Mueang District. Petrified wood has also been discovered in sand and gravel deposits both in the Chaloem Phra Kiat and Mueang districts of Nakhon Ratchasima. This has prompted Khorat UNESCO Global Geopark to consider itself the Paleontopolis (City of Ancient Life) of the world. The unique culture of the area is called the Thai Khorat Cultura. Khorat is known for the Khorat language, people and music; Khorat has also been internationally recognized in the scientific names of new vertebrate fossil species discovered in the geopark, such as Khoratosuchus jintasakuli (a crocodile) and Sirindhorna khoratensis (a dinosaur).

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark

This geopark tells the tale of how two oceans evolved over 400 million years of geological history. It charts the closure of the Iapetus Ocean and the birth of the North Atlantic Ocean, which generated large amounts of molten rock (or magma) both within the Earth's crust and on the surface. The subsequent rocks and landscapes have since been shaped by numerous Earth processes but dominated by those during the most recent Ice Age. The combination of mountain and coastal environments has led to the development of a hugely diverse range of glacial features not commonly seen in such a small area. These provide evidence of multiple stages of ice development and movement in the Mourne Mountains and in Strangford Lough. The geopark is located in the southeast of Northern Ireland, adjacent to the border with the Republic of Ireland, and covers an area of 1 932 km2. People have inhabited this area since just after the end of the last glaciation.

 
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Clare O'Hagan, Press Officer, c.o-hagan@unesco.org, +33145681729

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UNESCO, 7, place de Fontenoy, PARIS, NA FRANCE France

Monday, May 22, 2023

CfPs in Conference Panels | World Anthropology Congress 2023 (WAC-2023) | Bhubaneswar, 9-14 August

Dear All,

This is to inform you that CSSP Alumnus Dr. Debojyoti Das is coordinating a panel on "Climate Change and Environmental Refugeehood: Understanding the Dialectics of the Debate in the Global South" in the upcoming World Anthropology Congress 2023 (WAC-2023), organized by UIAF in collaboration with the Departments of Anthropology, Utkal University, Sambalpur University and the University of Delhi. The Congress is being hosted by Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar during August 9-14, 2023. 

The final version of all panels can be found in the WAC-2023 Website (World Anthropology Congress - WAC 2023). Please find the link for paper submission (Approved Panels & Submissions - WAC 2023) or visit the above-mentioned page. You may submit an abstract of your paper in the above-mentioned prescribed form by June 15, 2023. You may also explore other panels as well. All the abstracts of papers will be reviewed by WAC-NAAC and relevant papers will be accepted for presentation in the WAC-2023.

Please feel free to reach out to ukdebodas@gmail.com in case of any queries. 



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