The tour, in May and June 2024, will take in events in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Auckland. Each will include a presentation and lecture by Dr Goodall, as well as the opportunity for her fans to ask all their burning questions of the expert via a question and answer section during each show. There will also be a ‘fireside conversation’ with a moderator.
“I love Australia and New Zealand with its rich biodiversity and proud First Nations heritage”, Dr Goodall said of the planned tour.
“It will be tremendous to catch up with old friends and meet some of the young leaders making a difference through Roots & Shoots”.
The 89-year-old British primatologist, anthropologist and environmentalist is considered the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees, and is most well-known for her work studying the social and family interactions of the animals. She is responsible for a number of significant findings that changed our understanding of humans and animals, primarily that chimpanzees make and use tools.
Dr Goodall is also an outspoken activist for the impacts of climate change on biodiversity loss and environmental inequity.
The tour’s name, Reasons for Hope, mimics that of her memoir as well as a documentary released earlier this year that shares a journey around the globe to highlight the uplifting stories of people making a positive difference to the world around them.
“In all my lectures and books, I focus on reasons for hope,” she says. “But today, it’s getting harder and harder to take that message of hope around the world. Todays’ young people—everywhere I go—they’re so excited and empowered. We’re listening to their voices. That gives us a reason to hope”.
The expert first set up the first Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) in 1977, with chapters in Australia opening in 2007 and New Zealand in 2017, with the aim of extending the impact of her environmental and conservation messages and ongoing work. Each now has a suite of educational programs to inspire young people to get out in their community and make a difference.
Jane Goodall Institute Australia (JGIA) CEO, James Forbes, shared that the flagship Resource Box for Schools Program reaches some 4,000 schools across Australia.
“The resource box program is just one of several inspiring educational programs we now operate to support young people to take action in their local communities”, Forbes said.
“Eco-anxiety and nature deficit disorder are two very real problems impacting the next generation so we have a responsibility to address this head on through programs that give young people hope”.
Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots is a youth education program developed by Dr Jane Goodall in Tanzania in 1991 and today reaches millions of young people in more than 60 countries around the world. It is why she continues to travel around the world inspiring young people to take action.
Tour dates
Tuesday, May 28 — Curtin Stadium, Perth
Friday, May 31 — Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide
Tuesday, June 4 — Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Thursday, June 6 — Sydney Town Hall, Sydney
Monday, June 10 — SkyCity Theatre, Auckland
