GLOW2.0 project was represented at “Under One Sky" conference 2024

GLOW2.0 project’s Lead Partner, Karelia University of Applied Sciences participated “Under One Sky” conference event by Dark Sky International. The conference gathered over 1,000 individuals from 53 countries across the globe. The conference event was well planned, from array of speakers and session themes, to giving platforms of engagement for participants, i.e., opportunity to not only listen, but also present own project, share project outputs and results, and engage with other participants during the various sessions, and with speakers during discussions.

Among other, GLOW2.0 animation video, and link to GLOW2.0 outputs and results was shared to participants. The array of speakers and topics covered were very inspiring and thought provoking, emphasizing the importance of not only on communicating, but also leading by tangible deeds that show others how to communicate effectively, engage stakeholders and show leadership in action. 

Collage: Presentations from the conference. Sessions ranged from regional stories across continents, area-based solutions considering challenges, political structures and cultural aspects, current science on relation of darkness to health and safety, impacts of darkness on energy, tourism and environment, and also insights on policy movements and awareness actions.

During the conference’s closing ceremony, Mayo Dark Sky Park, Ireland’s first International Dark Sky Park and GLOW2.0’s associated partner, received a Dark Sky Park of the Year recognition award. The Dark Sky Park of the Year award is given in recognition of recent exceptional achievement to an International Dark Sky Place (IDSP) for example, for especially innovative or successful programs and actions. The award represented Mayo Dark Sky Park’s dedication to promoting and enhancing appreciation of the importance of protecting our night skies through education and engaging almost 30,000 visitors annually, while collaborating with local communities to reduce light pollution. Mayo Dark Sky Park’s innovative outreach efforts (such as in GLOW2.0 project), including the Mayo Dark Sky Festival and plans for the 2025 ALAN conference strengthened the recognition, as these highlighted also its leadership in preserving the night sky. The highlights of the sessions can be read from Dark Sky International’s webpage.

The award by International Dark Sky Association was a very well-deserved recognition for Mayo Dark Sky Park! Mayo has truly been a very active associated partner to GLOW2.0 – Green Energy Technologies for Tourism Growth project. The Park has among other, via its representatives Georgia MacMillian and Kerem Asfuroglu (Dark Source), collaborated with WestBIC and Údarás na Gaeltachta partners in hosting GLOW2.0’s first Learning Journey for stakeholders that took place in Mayo, Ireland during period 2 of the project (September 2023). During that learning journey, participants received practical knowledge and insights on the difference they can make regarding light pollution, ways of extending the dark sky tourism season and the importance of networking for tourism. This included a guided walk of Ballycroy National Park and demonstration of the Park’s activities. 

Partners and stakeholders from Finland, Iceland, Norway and Ireland at Mayo Dark Sky Park during GLOW2.0 learning journey in September 2023. 

The latest involvement was Mayo Dark Sky Park’s attendance to the GLOW2.0 learning journey in Iceland during this period (October 2024), where the associated partner shared knowledge on interconnectedness of ecosystems, including the Dark Skies Park use of Citizen Science to promote the Dark Skies at the learning journey in Iceland (8.10.2024) joining also the learning journey to gain insights how to develop own service offers. Work continues! 

Want to know more of what Mayo Dark Sky Park’s slogan “Half the Park is After Dark” stands for? Visit Mayo Dark Sky Park’s website.