THE Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark (BIUGGp) is hosting an international gathering of geoscience educators, researchers, conservation practitioners, and geopark representatives as the 5th UNESCO International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) 751–4GEON: Four Continents Connected Through Playful Geoeducation Project Meeting gets underway in Bohol.
The meeting, which runs from August 22 to September 2, 2026, brings together delegates from the Czech Republic, Nicaragua, Peru,Tanzania,a and Bhutan to strengthen international cooperation and exchange best practices in geoeducation, community engagement, and the promotion of Earth heritage.
Among the delegates are 4GEON Project Leader Assoc. Prof. Martina Pásková; 4GEON Information Technology Lead Dr. David Zejda; educational coach and course creator Alexes A. Ates; archaeologist Deymins Emmanuel Larios Diaz; 4GEON Project Co-Leader Abraham Cáceres Cabana; Anthony Tibaijuka of Ngorongoro Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark; and Norbu, a forest ranger from Bhutan.
The international delegates were warmly welcomed by the Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark through a dinner served with local Boholano dishes at Bohol Bee Farm on August 22. They were joined by BIUGGp Program Manager Joanne Pinat and members of the Bohol Island Geopark Management Team.
The gathering formally moved into a hybrid meeting, with Pásková leading the discussions and presenting the progress of the 4GEON project.
BIUGGp Resident Geologist Karl Michael Din presented the progress and developments of the Bohol geopark, while Dr. Jupiter Maboloc, 4GEON Coordinator and representative of the Department of Education (DepEd) Bohol, reported on the progress of 4GEON Clubs and Geoschools in the province.
Maboloc also highlighted a recent achievement of the program, announcing that the winner of the Sandugo Quiz Bee was a member of a 4GEON Club from Sandingan School, which is also a Geoschool.
Abraham Cáceres Cabana of the Colca Canyon and Volcanoes of Andagua UNESCO Global Geopark in Peru shared developments from their geopark, while Norbu presented Bhutan’s potential for geoeducation and provided a preview of its potential geopark– Gasa Hot Spring, which has been used for centuries for healing and wellness.
Zejda, meanwhile, presented updates on the 4GEON website, Toursman and other information technology concerns supporting the project’s international network.
Online participants also contributed to the meeting through Zoom. Luboš shared updates on GeoEduPortal and best practices from Barrandien Geopark, while Josef discussed social media visibility and the use of artificial intelligence-generated images.
Radek presented highlights from recent paleontological research in Barrandien Geopark and its potential to make geosciences more accessible and engaging to the public.
The 4GEON project is a flagship initiative under the UNESCO International Geoscience Programme that connects UNESCO Global Geoparks and local communities across Africa, Asia, Europe, and America through innovative and playful approaches to Earth heritage education.
Running from 2022 to 2026, the project promotes the idea that geology extends beyond scientific study and can serve as a tool for education, sustainable development, cultural identity, and community empowerment.
It also responds to challenges faced by many geopark communities, particularly indigenous and rural communities, including environmental degradation, unsustainable resource use, climate change, and the loss of traditional knowledge.
Through inclusive and locally relevant geoeducation, 4GEON seeks to help young people better understand and appreciate their geological heritage while encouraging them to become active participants in its protection and in building more resilient communities.
As part of their Bohol visit, the delegates will travel to different Geoschools and meet members of 4GEON Clubs to observe how Earth heritage education is being brought into classrooms through engaging and interactive learning.
The visits will provide the international delegates with an opportunity to see firsthand how Bohol educators integrate playful learning, community participation, respect for indigenous knowledge, international cooperation, and sustainability into geoeducation.
The partnership between BIUGGp and DepEd Bohol has been instrumental in developing innovative educational approaches designed to inspire children and young people to become future geoscientists, conservation leaders, and stewards of the Earth.
For Bohol, the international meeting is more than an exchange of scientific knowledge. It also highlights the province’s growing role in using education as a foundation for protecting its geological, biological, and cultural heritage.
The gathering likewise supports the strategic agenda of the Provincial Government of Bohol under the leadership of Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, who chairs the Bohol Island Geopark Management Council.
The provincial government’s thrust for a smart, resilient, and sustainable Bohol complements the objectives of the UNESCO Global Geopark, particularly in promoting environmental stewardship, sustainable tourism, education, community participation, and the long-term protection of Bohol’s natural and cultural heritage.
By bringing international experts and local educators together, the 4GEON meeting reinforces the province’s commitment to making the Geopark not only a destination for visitors but also a living classroom where communities, especially the youth, can learn about the land they call home and become active partners in protecting it.
The delegates’ immersion in Bohol’s Geoschools in the coming days is expected to further strengthen international cooperation and provide opportunities to share approaches that can make geoeducation more accessible, creative, and meaningful to young learners.
For BIUGGp, the meeting represents another step toward building a stronger global network of communities that understand that protecting Earth heritage begins with education—and that the most effective lessons can start with curiosity, play, and a deeper connection to place. (GEOPARK/ML)
