Grounds
The increased interest of the public and the media in geographical subjects and issues, together with improved techniques in geographical representations, have paved the way to the launch of National Geographical Festivals (NGFs).

Objective

• Tentatively, the NGF is a group of events, held over a 3- or 4-day period, which aims to:
  
• meet the demand for geographical data and knowledge from the local human communities;
  
• hold public discussions of the geographical implications of key issues, such as globalisation, sustainable development, inter-cultural and inter-civilizational dialogue;
  
• offer a platform for discussing those current geographical issues which have emerged at a local level, and the interaction between local systems and global processes, e.g. the consequences of climate change and of the standardisation of production and consumption patterns, and the safeguarding of local identities;
  
• satisfying the curiosity of the public, particularly the younger generations, regarding exploration of the world, including cyber-exploration, by presenting high-tech mapping, GIS and other computer-based representation techniques.

Agenda The NGF's agenda may include any kind of event which encourages participation, including:

• debates, such as round tables;
  
• lectures;
  
• movies, including competition between movies of geographical interest;
  
• exhibition of maps, software and any other products of geographical interest;
  
• competitions of geographical interest, e.g. Olympics and Internet-based competitions;
  
• folklore events, such as folk music, folk dance and traditional cuisine;
  
• any other initiative consistent with the local cultural, social and environmental contexts.

Promotion The NGF is promoted by local geographical bodies, hopefully in collaboration with local institutions and organisations, such as ministerial agencies, ministries of culture and education, municipalities and foundations.

Assistance The IGU, together with the Festival International de Géographie (FIG), is able to give technical assistance to the organisation and implementation of the individual festivals. In particular, the Home of Geography is able to provide assistance, particularly with respect to the dissemination of information and calls for participation through its website and the IGU Electronic Newsletter.

Frequency According to how successful the first edition is, the FG may be held periodically, on a yearly, two-yearly or other basis.

Management The FG could be operated by the:

• president
  
• executive committee
  
• secretariat.

Tentatively, the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Committee include:

• festival's programme
  
• scientific events
  
• exhibitions
  
• media
  
• competitions
  
• social events
  
• public relations.

Festival Network Following the Protocole de Coopération, signed in 2005, the IGU and FIG will help the establishment of a network of national festivals in order to share experiences, strengthen co-operation and optimise the individual initiatives.



g.bellezza, 30th April 2006