1. International Day of Peace is on 21 September!
The countdown is on for the 2015 International Day of Peace. Celebrated on 21 September each year, and a huge celebration for JGI around the globe, the International Day of Peace is a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. There is an urgent need to work for peace and strive for a more harmonious relationship between animals, people and our environment and to each do our part to work towards environmental sustainability.
This year, an especially auspicious one with the UN celebrating its 70th anniversary, will have the theme of “Partnerships for Peace – Dignity for All.” Click here to hear Dr. Jane Goodall’s Peace Day message and help us celebrate with some of our upcoming events!
2. Upcoming Roots & Shoots Peace Day Events
As a UN Messenger of Peace, one of Dr. Jane’s key messages is that we all must exist in harmony in order to achieve a kinder world. Every year on International Day of Peace, Roots & Shoots groups around the world take part in celebrations from building Peace Doves, making Peace Pledges with the #PeaceDay and coming together to raise awareness for animals, people and our environment.
With less than a month to go, it’s time for us to start planning how we can promote peace and kindness within our communities and our world. We would love to see each and every one of you participate in our favourite day of the year, whether on a small or large scale. JGIA is holding Peace Day 2015 events across Australia including Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth as well as one open to the public in Sydney:
Taronga Zoo’s Youth at The Zoo (YATZ) are joining with JGIA’s Roots & Shoots members for a day of connecting youth with nature at Taronga Zoo in Sydney on Peace Day. YATZ and Roots & Shoots members will also be doing the Sydney Harbour Bridge Run on Sunday 20 September to raise funds for LWIRO a chimpanzee sanctuary in the DRC. The winner of the run will get an all-inclusive behind the scenes chimpanzee experience they will never forget.
Tell us about your plans for Peace Day with #PeaceDay! Let us know if you would like to join our Sydney event, or if we can help you create your own! And don’t forget to join the exclusive R&S Australia Facebook group and sign up to receive JGIA’s newsletter for updates. Finally, more information on all of our Roots & Shoots activities can be found on our members page – sign up for Roots & Shoots or email us to get access!
3. Cecil the Lion – Dr. Jane Goodall finds a glimmer of hope in a senseless tragedy
As the world expressed its outrage at the death of Cecil the lion, Dr Jane Goodall too felt the devastating, unnecessary loss. However, amid the shock and despair, Dr Jane did manage to find a glimmer of hope. Read the powerful message here.
4. New Volunteer Opportunities at JGIA
JGIA Board Director Opportunity – An exciting opportunity exists for a young legal professional to join the JGIA Board. If you are: Gen –Y; a qualified legal professional; committed to and passionate about connecting animals, people and our environment; able to commit 15-20 hours/month for three years and a strong communicator with an intrinsic understanding of youth organisations, initiatives and mindsets, apply here now. Applications close 7 September.
JGIA Board Coordinator – We are looking for someone to provide secretarial and administrative support to the JGIA Board by coordinating our meetings, calendar and papers, taking meeting minutes and following-up on action items. To succeed in this role you will need to be highly efficient; an effective diplomat; able to commit an average of 3.5 hours/week and sensitive to any and all confidential Board matters. Apply here now, applications close 14 September.
5. R&S Student Highlight – Theresa Harley
Congratulations to Roots & Shoots member Theresa Harley in Year 6 at the Christ Church Grammar School, South Yarra on getting an A++ for her project on her hero Dr Jane! She made a wonderful collage of Dr Jane’s photos and special moments as well as a termite mound to demonstrate Dr Jane’s ground-breaking discovery of chimps as tool makers and users. Well done Theresa!
