SLJ Sits Down with Jane Goodall

This article originally appeared in SLJ’s Extra Helping. Sign up now!

Rocco Staino -- School Library Journal, 3/26/2008 2:10:00 PM

As librarians across the country celebrate Women in History Month in March, the name Jane Goodall often comes to mind. School Library Journal spoke to the renowned primatolgist and anthropologist in New York earlier this month during the WNET/Thirteen Teaching & Learning Celebration, where thousands of educators nationwide gathered to attend hands-on workshops and hear compelling speakers talk about the latest in education. For an excerpt of the interview visit SLJ's Web site.

What’s the most pressing environmental and social concern that educators should address with their students?
When people, especially young people, ask me this question, I try to encourage them to take a look around their own local neighborhoods to see what issues are impacting them on a daily basis. Once people identify the problems facing their communities, they can take steps to solve them whether it be starting a school recycling program or cleaning up a polluted river. Every individual makes a difference. If we all make changes, what seems like a small step will ultimately benefit the global community.

You obviously must have your own personal concerns.
I first came to Africa in the 1960s and spent many years living and working around the wild chimpanzees in Gombe National Park in Tanzania. As a result, I am particularly passionate about species extinction, the loss of biodiversity and our rapidly disappearing forests. I realized that we couldn’t help the animals and the forests around Gombe if we didn’t address the issues affecting the local villagers. That’s why the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) developed a program called TACARE (The Lake Tanganyika Catchment Basin Reforestation and Education Project) in 1994. TACARE seeks to address the rapid degradation of natural resources in the area by focusing on community socio-economic development and offering training and education in sustainable natural resource management.

How can parents and educators in urban settings stress the importance of nature?
Nature is all around us, even in an urbanized place like New York City. You can see nature by taking a walk in Central Park, going on a boat ride on the Hudson River, or planting a neighborhood garden. Taking the time to observe nature is often more difficult in an urban metropolis, but it is particularly important for inner-city youth who, because they may feel disconnected from nature, may be apathetic about addressing environmental threats. 

What role does technology play in solving the world’s environmental problems?
In the Internet age, I know that technology is critical to advocacy, which is why we are so excited about our partnership with the Pearson Foundation. Working together, we hope to empower young people around the world to address the issues facing their communities and, ultimately, create the next generation of leaders. Our programs are benefitting from many new technologies—it’s such an exciting time!

Tell us about the Jane Goodall’s Global Youth Summit in Orlando, Florida, that you’re hosting next month.
The first Global Youth Summit will take place at Walt Disney World Resort from April 19-25, 2008. We are bringing 100 outstanding young people from dozens of countries, giving them a platform to share their projects and achievements and providing them with the tools to take on global challenges. The Summit will focus on capacity building, youth development, and leadership training to help participants explore the ways in which they can make a greater difference in protecting the future of our planet. Participants will mobilize around issues such as clean water, conservation, conflict resolution and the interrelationships between these critical issues and the environment as a whole. The youth will leave with an individual action plan to improve their own communities and a strategy for communicating the group’s concerns and recommendations to broader, international audiences. 

Are you optimistic about the future of our planet?
We have to be optimistic if we want a better place for future generations. As humans, we have the ability to accomplish so much. We have created modern technology, much of which has greatly benefited millions of people all over the world. Using the right amounts of head and heart, I have absolute faith that working together we can save threatened species, the planet and, ultimately, ourselves. I have hope in the tremendous energy, enthusiasm, and commitment of young people around the world. With our Roots & Shoots program, we have already inspired more than 100,000 young people in nearly 100 countries to effect positive change in their communities. I also have hope in the indomitable force of the human spirit and the resilience of nature, when given a chance. 

What do you see as your legacy?
I hope to leave my mark by empowering young people to take action that will positively impact this planet we call home. That’s why I started Roots & Shoots. The program enables young people of all ages to plan and implement projects that benefit people, animals and the environment we all share. It all began on my porch with just a few students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 1991. It’s now global, with a membership that is growing all the time. Roots & Shoots members are already making a positive difference and know that every day they are creating a better world for generations to come.