Dr. Jane Goodall, a world-renowned primatologist and anthropologist, was present at Expo City Dubai on Monday, to announce the establishment of a permanent Roots & Shoots office at Terra – the Sustainability pavilion in a new collaboration.
Dr. Goodall, who has been on a mission to bring youth from preschool to university to work on environmental, conservation and humanitarian issues since 1991 through her global Roots & Shoots programme, aims to ensure that Roots & Shoots UAE will be a hub for cooperation, aligning with Terra’s mission to prioritise climate awareness.
Collaborating with Expo City Dubai
When asked why she chose Expo City Dubai to collaborate with for her campaign, Dr. Goodall told Arabian Business: “We’ve done an awful lot with international schools, because they’ve got the resources, but we’re moving into the local schools which is really, really important.”
Echoing the sentiment, Marjan Faraidooni, Chief of Education and Culture, Expo City Dubai said, that this collaboration draws inspiration from Dr. Goodall’s work as well as the stands the UAE has taken in terms of addressing environmental issues and youth empowerment.
“We are taking a step forward by collaborating with Dr. Jane’s Roots & Shoots programme. So it is only our natural ‘wants’ and ‘needs’ to want to welcome the set-up of organisations here at Expo City Dubai that help address global issues. We will be working very closely with Dr. Jane and her team, and I have to say that for us, there is a lot to learn from these experiences by actually setting common programmes around the world that we could offer to students, to young people,” she said.
What exactly is Dr. Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots programme?
The Roots & Shoots programme focuses on three main pillars: environmental sustainability, conservation, and community service. It encourages young people to identify the needs of their communities and develop projects that address those needs, whether it’s related to wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, sustainable practices, or social issues.
Roots & Shoots encourages participants to think globally and act locally, promoting a sense of environmental stewardship and social responsibility. The programme provides tools, resources, and guidance to help young people plan and implement their projects, fostering leadership skills, critical thinking, and collaboration.
In the UAE, the programme plans to leverage the Expo School Programme’s network to expand its reach among Arabic and English public and private institutions.
The organisation will offer interactive student workshops focused on tree planting, beekeeping, and habitat conservation.
These workshops will take place within the premises of Roots & Shoots UAE, as well as in schools and outdoor settings.
Additionally, the initiative will provide valuable resources for teachers and organise engaging, educational community events.
Sustainability depends on “country, people and situation,” says Dr. Goodall
Expo City Dubai, which hosted the world at COP28, has been an active player in ensure sustainability as priority as it recognises the urgent need to address environmental challenges and build a sustainable future for the planet.
By prioritising sustainability, Expo Dubai aims to showcase innovative solutions, technologies, and practices that can contribute to mitigating climate change, conserving resources, and promoting environmental stewardship.
However, when asked if there are any successful strategies in promoting sustainability and protecting endangered species, Dr. Goodall said: “There isn’t a simple answer – it depends on the country, it depends on the people and it depends on the situation.”
“We are beginning to find technological ways to live in greater harmony with nature, but we should not be way late in thinking technology will solve all our problems. Nature is there as the very best, cheapest solution for absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. So the final result is the indomitable spirit of people who talk the work seems impossible and won’t give up and very often find a way and inspire others,” she added.
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