🇲🇰 On October 9, 2024, I was one of the panelists in a discussion on the topic “Geoparks – Opportunities and Challenges for the Republic of Macedonia,” held at the Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences, Campus 2 at “Goce Delchev” University – Shtip. The event was organized by the Macedonian Geological Society (MGS) and the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES).
🏛️ This panel discussion, inspired by the “International Day of Geodiversity,” which was officially celebrated internationally for the first time in 2021 by UNESCO, featured various experts, particularly in the field of natural heritage. The discussion focused on supporting the idea of establishing geoparks in Macedonia. The panel included academic Prof. Dr. Blazo Boev, Prof. Dr. Sonja Lepitkova, Prof. Dr. Ivica Milevski, Prof. Dr. Slavcho Hristovski, M.A. Vasilka Dimitrovska, and M.A. Vlatko Trpevski, with Dr. Biljana Gichevski as the moderator.
👥 I was pleasantly surprised by the large number of attendees, which indicates that the idea of a geopark in Macedonia is realistic and interesting to many stakeholders.
🏞️ A geopark is a defined area of geological significance, aimed at protection, education, and sustainable development. Through the interpretation of heritage, the local community can participate in telling stories about the geological features, cultural history, and natural resources, which helps strengthen their identity and promote tourism development.
