On February 8, 2023, Management Board of Lang Son Geopark coordinated with the advisory group for the building and development of Lang Son Geopark in Bac Son, Binh Gia, Chi Lang, Huu Lung, Van Quan districts to organize a student exchange program between Lang Son Geopark and Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark, Japan. At the side of Lang Son Geopark Management Board: Ms. Pham Thi Huong, Deputy Head of Lang Son Geopark Management Board and officials of the Management Board. For the districts in Lang Son Geopark: the advisory group for the building and development of Lang Son Geopark in Bac Son, Binh Gia, Chi Lang, Huu Lung, Van Quan districts, teachers and students a number of junior and senior high schools in Lang Son Geopark (each district has five students capable of using English). For the Japanese side: Management Board of Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark (Mrs. Killinger Katrina, Ms. Woloszyn Jagoda); teachers and member of English Club at Oki High School, Dozen High School.

The participants of the Student Exchange Program

Students of Chi Lang High School (Chi Lang district)

At the meeting, a student Chi Lang High School (Chi Lang district) introduced an overview of Lang Son Geopark, potentials and strengths for tourism development in Lang Son Geopark such as geomorphology, culture, cuisine, local tourist attractions...and so on; a student Oki High School, Japan introduced Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark, Japan (Oki Archipelago has four inhabited islands.The largest island is Dogo which has a rather round shape. The three remaining islands are Nakanoshima, Nishinoshima and Chiburijima – collectively known as Dozen, are the remains of a sunken crater and each has its own complex shape but revolves around the citadel a circular cluster), roadmap and activities for education, learning, experience, research, community project building in the Geopark area. In the discussion group, students both sides were divided five groups to discuss topics about Geoparks such as animals and plants; beauty scene; culture, cuisine of the Geopark area and so on. After the discussion, the groups sent representatives to present on the topic selected by the group, exchanging information on the potential and strengths of the Geoparks of both sides.

A student Chi Lang High School (Chi Lang district) introduced an overview of Lang Son Geopark

A student of Oki High School, Japan introduced Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark

Students are divided discussion groups

Leaders of the Geopark Management Boards of the two sides discussed the content and form of organizing the next exchange programs (for Management Board staffs, students and teachers) to strengthen connection and communication and share experiences in building and developing Geoparks.

The program of working and exchanging with students in Lang Son Geopark and Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark, Japan took place successfully, contributing to the introduction and promotion of Lang Son Geopark to partners, strengthen international integration and cooperation, participate in activities of UNESCO Global Geoparks Network; sharing and learning experiences in building and developing Geoparks.

Besides, the exchange program creates opportunities for students to improve their presentation, discussion and negotiation skills in English, improve their international integration capacity (the young generation in Lang Son Geopark understands local, national, international to become global citizens, future diplomats, high quality human resources of the province and the country). At the same time, it meets the criteria for recognition of the UNESCO Global Geopark: local communities, indigenous people actively and officially participate in the operation of the Geopark, representing in the management structure of the Geopark and in the drafting and implementation of actions and projects Geoparks, Geoparks transfer knowledge, practices and management systems to the younger generation.

Pham Huong