Roots & Shoots

 

Roots & Shoots is the Jane Goodall Institute's environmental and humanitarian education program. It is a global network of youth connecting and taking action to make the world a better place.

Founded by Dr. Jane Goodall, the Roots & Shoots program inspires youth of all ages to make a difference by becoming involved in their communities. Each Roots & Shoots group plans and implements service-learning projects that promote care and concern for animals, the environment, and the human community.
 

 

The R&S Mission

• Foster respect and compassion for all living things.

 

• Promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs.

 

• Inspire each individual to take action and make the world a better place for the human, animal, and ecological community.

 

 

Strategies

• Empowering youth leaders to identify and research environmental and humanitarian issues, and build leadership and project skills.

 

• Providing support and resources for youth-led community action. 

 

• Building the global network of Roots & Shoots groups through Partnerships in Understanding, pen-pal program and regional grassroots support networks.

 

Our Roots...

Along the shores of the Indian Ocean in 1991, Dr. Goodall and sixteen Tanzanian students decided they wanted to help make their community and make the world a better place. And Roots & Shoots was born!

Since then, the program has spread rapidly throughout the world to engage people in service learning projects that benefit animals, the environment and the human community.
 

 

"Learn, Care, Act"

Roots & Shoots members learn to identify and research issues in their own community to enable a better understanding of local problems. Simultaneously, they develop project and leadership skills so that they can choose, plan and carry out community action projects.
 

 

R&S Australia's history

 

R&S began in Australia by people joining through the R&S-USA, R&S-China and R&S-UK groups.

Several Australian groups have since emerged, including our strong and active community R&S group in Alexandra, Victoria. We have also had families, schools and individuals join a steadily growing R&S network.

Dr Goodall's lecture tours in 2006 and 2008 inspired a huge wave of interest that has seen R&S membership grow from only two active groups to over 80 members!
 

 

"Connect!"

Here at JGI we believe that youth want to take action themselves and not have to depend on others to create positive change. 
 

A big part of R&S is connecting like-minded youth, and people of all ages. Whether it is in local areas or across the country - or with R&S groups in other countries, our members are able to easily exchange their ideas, experiences, successes and failures, inspiring and encouraging each other to become leaders for positive change.

 

These exchanges build relationships and in some cases lead to exciting global campaigns such as the R&S Tchimpounga Campaign and more recently leadership development between R&S youth in the USA and China.

 

Connecting with people from other cultures and knowing that you are part of a global network spanning 100 countries is both inspiring and motivating. 

With over 8000 R&S groups having registered around the world since the program's beginning, we know we are making a difference.

R&S-Australia is currently coordinated by a small team of volunteers who fit R&S in with work, family life and other commitments. It is an exciting and sometimes challenging phase in our growth in Australia. We do our best to respond to enquiries and thank all members for your patience and understanding.

 

We invite you to learn more about R&S and join the network. R&S is for anyone and everyone!

 

CONTACT US

Annette Debenham
National R&S Membership Coordinator
Telephone: 0432 387 397
annette.debenham@janegoodall.org.au