Empowering Future Leaders

Dr Jane leads a call to Environmental and Humanitarian Action “Yes We Can! Yes We Will!

What a Team! Thanks to all the fabulous lecturers and organisers of the conference

Over 250 delegates attended the ‘Compassionate Leadership and Effective Advocacy Conference’ at Macquarie University, hosted by the Jane Goodall Institute Australia and the Macquarie University Centre for Environmental Law.

The conference provided students the opportunity to select two workshops from a series of 20 – a difficult choice! – which built valuable knowledge and skills for both the high school students and their teachers. The workshops included topics such as Climate Justice, Indigenous Environmental Activism, Community Mapping, Poaching and the Illegal Wildlife Trade, and The Legal Rights of Nature.

Roseville College meet Dr Jane

These outstanding lectures were followed by a roundtable featuring Dr Jane and other leaders in sustainability, where some of the biggest environmental and humanitarian concerns were addressed before the student audience.

Professor Sakkie Pretorius (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research), Judith Preston (EDO), Leonard Blazby (International Committee of the Red Cross), Dr Michelle Maloney (Australian Earth Laws Alliance), Dr Jane Goodall (Jane Goodall Institute and Roots and Shoots), Alexia Wellbelove (Humane Society International), Dr Kim Loo (Doctors for the Environment Australia), Dermot O’Gormon (WWF), Zara Bending (Jane Goodall Institute Board member and event organiser extraordinaire)

The conference was a great opportunity for students to gain an understanding of new areas related to conservation, sustainability and leadership, and be inspired by fantastic lecturers and their proactive approach to serious environmental issues. Wrapping up the event was a relaxed soirée with lots of yummy vegan nibbles where finally, to top off a great day, students were invited for a group photo with Dr Jane in which she presented their school with a signed copy of her book “Reasons for Hope”. What a great addition to the school library! Thank you Macquarie Uni, and especially Zara Bending and Shireen Daft, for creating such a special event.

Mary Pilkinton | NYLC NSW