Jane Goodall, famous for her groundbreaking field studies of chimpanzee intelligence and behaviour, touched down in Hong Kong this week to spread awareness about her global youth environmental and humanitarian programme, Roots and Shoots, and help set up an office here.
German Swiss International School, Sha Tin College, Hong Kong International School and Chinese International School have signed up as Roots and Shoots organisations, and half a dozen other institutions have expressed interest. 'I am heartened to see so much support for the programme since my visit last year,' said Dr Goodall, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence.
German Swiss International's most recent Roots and Shoots project was a 12-metre mural of Hong Kong, pictured above with the artists. The work was inspired by Dr Goodall's drive to encourage people to respect and show compassion for all living things and take action to make the world a better place for animals, the environment and people.
The Jane Goodall Institute office will be launched using proceeds from a fund-raising dinner held on Thursday. A Roots and Shoots staff member will be employed to co-ordinate volunteers and activities and to help attract more local groups.