Local Youth Leader Brings Back “Message of Hope” from Jane Goodall’s Global Youth Summit

100 Young People from 28 Countries Participated in Life-changing Event

Twenty-four-year-old Timothy Ogene recently returned from a life-changing five-day trip to Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Timothy was one of 100 youth from six continents and 28 countries brought together by world-renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, to attend Jane Goodall’s Global Youth Summit. The first annual event, which took place at Walt Disney World Resort® from April 19-25, mobilized the young leaders to address the critical issues facing the planet. At the Summit’s end, the attendees headed home with a commitment to make positive change happen and the hope that – together – they can make the world a better place.

Timothy and his fellow participants were hand-picked by Dr. Goodall, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and partner organizations to take part in the all-expenses-paid, first-of-its-kind event. All attendees were outstanding young people with a strong history of community service and demonstrated leadership qualities. Timothy, for example, is the Project Director of Delta Change Network, Earth Charter Representative for Africa and the Middle East, the South-South Representative of the Undergraduate Business Conference and the administrator of the online platform for young development actor-YAP4D.

Over the course of the Summit, the young people were able to dialogue with a dynamic panel of experts, share cross-cultural ideas, strengthen their leadership skills and create messages through digital media. Perhaps most unique, they identified key issues and developed self-led workshops and discussions to tackle the topics that concerned them. They decided what they wanted to focus on whether it be species conservation, conflict resolution or some other pressing issue.

Working in small groups, the participants broke down transnational boundaries and gained firsthand knowledge about the cross-cultural collaboration needed to solve the world’s greatest problems. Each of these extraordinary young leaders left the Summit equipped with a “toolbox for changing the world” and individual action plans for protecting the future. In the year following the Summit, the participants will work to implement their plans within their respective communities. Timothy’s action plans entails;
1. A documentary to showcase progress made by young people in realizing the MDGs. And,
2. Starting up of Roots and Shoots Programme in the Niger Delta Area

“The time I spent with these amazing young people has been incredibly stimulating and moving,” said Dr. Goodall. “I know I speak for everyone involved when I say we left the Summit energized, inspired and filled with a new hope for the future and new ideas for encouraging others to bring about a more peaceful world.”

Participants at the Summit also had the opportunity to work with the Mobile Learning Institute, a Pearson Foundation – Nokia alliance. The Mobile Learning Institute enabled the youth to create and share short digital films about the issues of greatest importance to them. Timothy’s film, titled “Peace” focused on The need for mankind to live together as one and shun violence of all kinds. He and the other attendees brought their finished films home and will use them to implement their customized action plan and local conservation efforts.

JGI’s core competencies in community-centered conservation and youth education made it particularly well suited to organize the Summit. Dr. Goodall, who founded JGI in 1977, is inspirational “proof” that one committed individual can make a world of difference. And her message of hope speaks directly to young people. Roots & Shoots, JGI’s global environmental and humanitarian youth program, has a proven track record of engaging young people in service-learning projects that benefit people, animals and the environment. Dr. Goodall began Roots & Shoots in 1991 with just a small group of Tanzanian students. Today, Roots & Shoots involves nearly 100,000 youth in almost 100 countries and it’s growing every day. The strength of the program is its unique methodology that highlights a youth-driven assessment process and identification of actual community needs.

Dr. Goodall, JGI and all the participants expressed their gratitude to the Summit’s partners and corporate sponsors who share their commitment to the leaders of tomorrow. Without the support of Disney, Whirlpool Corporation, Delta Air Lines and the Mobile Learning Institute, the Summit would not have been possible. Working with these and other organizations, JGI hopes the Summit will grow in size and prestige to become the premier annual gathering for young leaders across the globe.

For more information about Jane Goodall’s Global Youth Summit, please visit www.globalyouthsummit.org. If you would like to get involved in Timothy’s local projects, please contact him directly at timmybrowni@yahoo.com.

About the Jane Goodall Institute

Founded in 1977, the Jane Goodall Institute continues Dr. Goodall’s pioneering research of chimpanzee behavior — research that transformed scientific perceptions of the relationship between humans and animals. Today, the Institute is a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. It also is widely recognized for establishing innovative community-centered conservation and development programs in Africa, and the Roots & Shoots education program, which has groups in almost 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.janegoodall.org.

About Roots & Shoots

Founded in 1991 by Dr. Jane Goodall and a group of Tanzanian students, the Roots & Shoots program is about making positive change happen—for our communities, for animals and for the environment. With tens of thousands of young people in almost 100 countries, the Roots & Shoots network connects youth of all ages who share a desire to create a better world. Young people identify problems in their communities and take action. Through service projects, youth-led campaigns and an interactive website, Roots & Shoots members are making a difference across the globe. For more information, please visit www.rootsandshoots.org.