In April, Dr. Jane personally invited 100 outstanding young leaders to spend a week at Walt Disney World® in Orlando, Florida, mobilizing around critical issues facing our planet. Participants in Jane Goodall's Global Youth Summit represented 28 countries on six continents. It was a truly global group!
Summit participants examined issues of the environment, water,culture and conservation, exploring how each individual can make a difference in protecting the future of our planet. We heard from experts on everything from social entrepreneurship to peace and conflict resolution. We discussed the issues that we're passionate about and learned the skills to lead our peers to a better future.
It was a fascinating mix of youth from many cultures, beliefs and walks of life. Rarely does one get the opportunity to sit in the same room, let alone meet and talk, with people from Tanzania, Australia, India, Israel, Palestine, China, Canada, Italy, Guinea and the United States¿just to name a few.
Here are some highlights:
Digital Arts With help from a Pearson Foundation-Nokia alliance and Mobile Learning Institute, we created public service announcement videos (or PSAs) directing viewers to take a specific action—such as visiting a website, planting a tree or stopping to think about their choices.
People really felt like they were making a difference and got to use their creativity and passion to create something powerful.
Maria Geueke Roots & Shoots New England Youth Leadership Council member Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Tree Planting In cooperation with the City of Orlando, we planted over 100 trees to help reforest Airport Lakes Park near Orlando International Airport.
We went to [the park] to help restore natural forest that was destroyed during a hurricane.
Bryan Lairmore Roots & Shoots California Youth Leadership Council member Ventura, California
N.A.P Time While actual nap time might have been welcomed after a few days of intense summiting, N.A.P. Time (New Action Potential Time) was for youth to lead discussions on issues we're passionate about. While we didn't kick the adults out of the room, we definitely took the lead in these sessions, discussing our issues, our frustrations and our solutions.
I learned about gender participation, because in my community women and girls are left behind in development aspects.
Shadrach Meschach Roots & Shoots member Kigoma, Tanzania
Although the entire Summit was memorable, the most exciting part will come in the next few weeks and months, as we young people begin to make a difference in our home communities. Each of us left the Summit with an action plan and a desire to protect our future.
Email Us | Call: 800.592.JANE | Write: Roots & Shoots program, the Jane Goodall Institute, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22203 USA
