Dr. Jane Goodall is a world-renowned ethologist, conservationist, and UN Messenger of Peace, celebrated for her six decades of groundbreaking research on the chimpanzees of Gombe Stream. Her work is hailed as one of the greatest achievements of 20th-century scholarship, not only for redefining the relationship between humans and animals but also for setting a new standard for conservation that strategically integrates the needs of local communities and the environment.
Goodall began her landmark study in Tanzania in 1960, employing an unorthodox approach that immersed her in the chimpanzees' lives as a neighbor rather than a distant observer. This method led to the revolutionary discovery that chimpanzees make and use tools, transforming the scientific understanding of our closest living relatives and establishing the foundation for future primatological research. Her compassionate perspective acknowledges chimpanzees not just as a species but as individuals with complex emotions and long-term bonds.
In 1977, Dr. Goodall established the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), which continues the Gombe research and is a global leader in innovative, community-centered conservation in Africa. Building on this mission, she founded Roots & Shoots in 1991, a global environmental and humanitarian youth program that empowers hundreds of thousands of youth in more than 130 countries to take action. This dual focus demonstrates her holistic commitment to conservation, from field research to grassroots advocacy. A recipient of numerous major honors, including the French Legion of Honor, the Medal of Tanzania, and being appointed a Dame of the British Empire (DBE), Dr. Goodall is one of the most respected figures globally. She travels an average of 300 days per year, speaking about the threats facing chimpanzees and other environmental crises. Her presentations provide audiences with the knowledge, urgency, and hope necessary to solve the problems humankind has imposed on the earth, challenging each of us to become an active force for global change.
