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Day for Earth Sciences in Africa and Middle East
19-20-21 March
The African Association of Women in Geosciences and the African Geoparks Network are proclaiming the 20th March as a “Day for Earth Sciences in Africa and the Middle East”. So, if you are interested to be partner or supporter of this initiative or if you are willing to propose activities in your respective countries or online activities through your facebook groups, your blogs or your tweets, please join us to make this exciting experience a success. As a first step, we are relying on human power on a voluntary basis!
Why the 20th March?
Equinoxes have been celebrated in cultures all over the world. In the northern hemisphere the March equinox marks the start of spring and has long been celebrated as a time of rebirth. The 20th March corresponds to the March equinox where night and day are nearly of the same length all over the world. However, even if this is widely accepted, it isn't entirely true. The March equinox occurs the moment the sun crosses the celestial equator from south to north. This happens either on March 19, 20 or 21 every year. In that way, the activities, related to the “Day for Earth Sciences in Africa and Middle East”, could be extended on the 19th and the 21st March."
Objectives of the Day
The day aims to promote Earth Sciences for Society and to increase the awareness about the role that earth scientists could play to help to build a peaceful, healthier and wealthier continent.
Activities:
Conferences, seminars, courses, presentations, field trips, exhibitions, films, games, visits of Earth Sciences departments…etc. It is up to you to create and innovate in order to answer the need of your respective societies.
Target public
Pupils from primary and secondary schools, students from universities, policy makers, large public, potential partners and sponsors…all the components of your respective societies.
Partners
Society of African Earth Scientists, YES Africa, CIFEG, IAPG,??????? other partners are coming
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El Jadida Declaration
In reference to the article from New Partnership for the Development in Africa (NEPAD 2011) “The archaeological and palaeontological sites which contain proof of Earth evolution, of life and human species, the natural habitats which include a large variety of fauna and flora and the free inhabited areas, are a characteristic of the continent” (Ch.2, art.III).
We, participants to the First International Conference on African and Arabian Geoparks coming from 15 African countries, 4 Middle East countries and international experts (Europe, China, Australia and USA) declare that:
-Africa, cradle of humanity, is characterized by large geo and biodiversity;
-The human history of Africa and its geological history are intimately linked;
-The conservation of the geological heritage, the natural heritage, the tangible and intangible cultural heritage is, today, an unavoidable objective for all African countries.
We are more than determined to implement the following recommendations:
1- Promote the development of Geoparks in Africa under the auspices of the African Geoparks Project developed by the African Association of Women in Geosciences ;
2- Elaborate, in a short term, a strategy and a methodology for the development of the Geoparks in Africa focused on a priority of their implementation on the areas with higher poverty level ;
We strongly suggest to UNESCO to reinforce the geoparks initiative and to develop a strong information and awareness plan to promote the geoparks for all African and Arabian societies.
El Jadida, Morocco, the 22nd November 2011.
Déclaration d'El Jadida
En référence à l’article du Nouveau Partenariat Pour le Développement de l’Afrique (NEPAD 2001)
« Les sites paléontologiques et archéologiques qui contiennent des preuves de l’évolution de la terre, de la vie et des espères humaines, les habitats naturels qui renferment une grande variété de flore et de faune et les espaces libres inhabités qui sont une caractéristique du continent (Ch,2, Composante III).
Nous, les participants à la Première Conférence Internationale sur les Géoparcs Africains et Arabes, venant de 15 pays d’Afrique, 4 pays du Moyen Orient et des experts internationaux (Europe, Australie, Chine et USA) affirmons que :
- L’Afrique, berceau de l’humanité, est caractérisée par une large géo et biodiversité.
- L’histoire Humaine de l’Afrique et son histoire géologique sont intimement liées.
- La préservation du patrimoine géologique, du patrimoine naturel et du patrimoine culturel matériel et immatériel est, aujourd’hui, un objectif incontournable pour tous les pays du continent africain.
Nous sommes plus que déterminés à mettre en œuvre les recommandations suivantes :
1- Promouvoir le développement des géoparcs en Afrique sous l’égide du projet « Réseau Africain des Géoparcs » développé par l’Association Africaine des Femmes en Géosciences (AAWG) ;
2- Elaborer, à court terme, une stratégie et une méthodologie pour le développement des géoparcs en Afrique axées sur une priorité de leur mise en place dans les zones les plus défavorisées.
Nous sollicitons fortement l’UNESCO à renforcer l’initiative Géoparc et à développer rapidement un solide plan d’information et de sensibilisation pour promouvoir les géoparcs pour toutes les sociétés africaines et arabes.
Fait à El Jadida, Maroc le 22 Novembre 2011