1. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE CELEBRATION
“JANE’S JOURNEY” FILM NIGHT
To celebrate International Day of Peace 2012 JGI-Australia has sourced copies of the film “Jane’s Journey” – an engaging documentary about Dr Jane’s life, from her early days in Africa to the life she leads now, traveling the world spreading messages of hope and action to people of all ages.
PUBLIC EVENTS for the screening of Jane’s Journey:
MELBOURNE – Friday 21st September
Monash University, Melbourne
Hosted by Monash University R&S group
7.30pm
For more info please email: jgrootsnshoots@monashclubs.org
ADELAIDE – Friday 21st September
Adelaide Zoo
Hosted by Zoos SA
6.30pm
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/51014279/janes%20journey%20flyer-zoossa.pdf
2. Jane’s Journey DVD
The beautiful film about Jane Goodall’s extraordinary life story is now available exclusively from our online shop. Buy your copy today and enjoy.
3. Switched on Uni students
Members of Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots at Monash University recently volunteered at the Conservation Ecology Centre (CEC) in Cape Otway.
Students learnt about local endangered wildlife such as Tiger Quolls and how CEC runs breeding and tracking programs. Members participated in a range of activities including weeding of invasive plants that are aggressively spreading and threatening eucalyptus trees that Koalas feed on. They also helped the CEC’s rehabilitation centre for orphaned and injured wildlife by collecting eucalyptus branches for baby koalas that often become orphaned from car accidents along the Great Ocean Road. On the last day, students helped plant hundreds of trees, grasses and shrubs with the local Landcare group along the coast of Apollo Bay for National Tree Day. Members even spotted a couple of passing whales!
4. HUMANE EDUCATION
“The world becomes what you teach”
JGI-Australia is excited to announce our collaboration with the Institute for Humane Education, based in the USA. This will provide us with access to courses, workshops and training for teachers, parents, community leaders and individuals with a passion for environmental preservation, animals protection and social justice.
** NEW – ONLINE COURSES START IN OCTOBER
http://humaneeducation.org/sections/view/Online_Courses
For more information about Jane Goodall’s Humane Education programs, please contact Alicia@janegoodall.org.au
HUMANE EDUCATION HOLIDAY WORKSHOP
- FOR 10-12 YEARS OLDS
Humane Education is a multi-disciplinary approach to education that fosters curiosity, creativity and critical thinking. Through engaging activities, your child will have the opportunity to learn how to contribute to creating a sustainable, humane and peaceful world.
When: Thursday 27th September
Time: 9am – 3.30pm
Where: Ceres Community Environmental Park
Numbers strictly limited
More info >>>
5. ANNOUNCING THE SCHOOL BROADCASTING NETWORK’S INTERNATIONAL AND INDIGENOUS YOUTH AWARDS 2012 – CALL FOR NOMINATIONS :
Do you know a young person who is making a difference through their actions in their local community, or beyond. Then visit www.sbnonline.org and find out more about the 2012 SBN (School Broadcasting Network) International and Indigenous Youth Awards. Nominations are now open.
SBN is also calling for schools to enter the Switched On Radio Awards – Read More
CALLING ALL COMMUNITY FOCUSED & SUSTAINABILITY CONSCIOUS SCHOOLS
You are invited to apply for the SBN School Awards 2012
“As an agent for positive change in the world, what would be your vision, journey and destination for 2015?”
Your school could win a fully sponsored ‘SwitchOn Radio’ Enrichment Program for 2013 by performing an original piece at the SBN International & Indigenous Youth Awards that explores this year’s theme of ‘being an agent for positive change’
The SBN School Awards are open to all primary and secondary schools across Australia/NZ Schools unable to perform live at the Awards may submit a DVD or PowerPoint presentation for consideration
For more information and application forms please contact Viarnne Mischon on m: 0421 737 464 e: viarnne@sbnonline.org
6. RAW AFRICA JGI UGANDA TOUR
Feel like an adventure before the summer? There are still places left on the Uganda Trip in November. A unique and exciting opportunity to visit first hand and support JGI’s Community Conservation programs in Uganda, and to see our Great Ape cousins and other African wildlife.
For more information, go to this link.
7. Spotlight on the DRC
One of JGI-Australia’s key focus areas is JGI’s program in the Democratic Republic of Congo. (DRC)
As part of the Congo Basin, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) contains the world’s second largest rainforest. There are estimated to be roughly 70,000 to 100,000 chimpanzees in the DRC. Threats to the great apes in the country include hunting for the illegal, commercial bushmeat trade, mining, deforestation and civil strife. In response to these threats, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is leading a conservation action plan (CAP) in the eastern DRC. The CAP will target more than 66 million acres, which contain approximately 15,000 chimpanzees and somewhere between 3,000-5,000 gorillas. Read more >
Unfortunately a recent escalation in conflict in the Eastern regions of the DRC has seriously affected the conservation activities in several National Parks, such as Virunga National Park , that holds responsibility for protecting the Congo’s Mountain Gorillas. Read more >
This recent conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has to date not directly impacted JGI’s programs. Dario Merlo, JGI-DRC’s Program Director, states, “JGI’s activities in the DRC are in an area currently not affected by the conflict. This is a critical time for us to continue our programs in Community Conservation to ensure the future stability and protection of our environment, its animals and the communities dependenton them”.
JGI-AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS OUR PROGRAMS IN THE DRC through:
- Raising awareness through public talks and general promotion. If you would like us to talk to your school, company or community group about JGI’s programs please email Natalie@janegoodall.org.au.
- Funding through They’re Calling on You Mobile Phone Campaign
ZOOS VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP – JGI-AUSTRALIA WOULD LIKE TO THANK ZOOS VICTORIA FOR THEIR ONGOING SUPPORT OF JGI’S DRC PROGRAM Read more >
How you can make a difference
At JGI, we believe in the power of individuals to make a difference through the choices and actions we make on a daily basis. While the DRC is a long way away from us, we are playing a role in the problems this country faces through our consumption of mobile phones and other technology. Such items are a part of our modern lives, but through mindful consumption we can alleviate some of the impact.
- “They’re Calling On You” : Recycle your mobile phones and encourage others to do the same. Visit https://www.janegoodall.org.au/?page_id=123
Tell your family, friends, school, local businesses, company about this campaign and see how many people you can encourage to recycle their phones. Funds raised from this program provide much needed funding to JGI’s programs in the DRC.
- Make use of your current phone for longer. The average Australian replaces their mobile phone every 18-24 months. Take care of yours and make it last longer, and avoid being caught up in the trap of having to have the latest version phone upon its release …With the recent release of the Iphone 5S, ask yourself – is this a WANT or a NEED?
- CHOOSE Conflict-Free Minerals : in recent times ratings on technology companies have been developed so that we as consumers can choose to buy technology from companies that are demonstrating a commitment to sourcing conflict-free minerals. Raise Hope for the Congo is a proactive group raising awareness of Conflict Minerals in technology, and inspiring people to take action. Read more >
FAST FACTS:
More than 800 million people around the world currently use mobile phones and that figure is growing daily! In Australia alone, it is estimated that there were 9 million new mobile phones sold in the last 12 months.
Australians typically upgrade their phones every 18-24 months! This exerts enormous pressure on the mining of resources such as coltan needed to manufacture new phones.
80% of the world’s coltan reserves are located within the Democratic Republic of Congo. As the forest is denuded for mining, the protection once offered by the habitat in it’s pristine state is now no longer able to shelter gorillas and a range of other species from the bush meat crisis. In Kahuzi Biega National Park, more than fifty percent of the Eastern gorilla population has been lost, leaving the species on the brink of extinction.
You can make a difference simply by donating your old mobile phone.
SUPPORTING THE BRAVERY OF RANGERS IN DANGER
Toorak R&S raises money to send two Ecoguards from the DRC
to the World Ranger Congress in Tanzania.
A newly formed Roots & Shoots group in Victoria, consisting of a handful of young sixth grade girls, were searching for a worthy cause to stand behind when they were introduced to the Thin Green Line Foundation. Read More >
The Thin Green Line is dedicated to supporting the brave Park Rangers world-wide, primarily in developing nations, who risk their lives protecting the wildlife and wild places so vital to conservation. They are often overlooked for the work they do and the risks and sacrifices they endure.
Inspired by the Rangers’ bravery in often dangerous conditions with little resources and support, the girls set a goal and raised $2,000 through school fundraising to sponsor two senior Park Rangers to attend the World Ranger Congress in Tanzania this November. These Park Rangers (Ecoguards)work in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute in the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The World Ranger Congress occurs every four years and enables Rangers from around the globe to meet, share ideas and gain valuable knowledge provided by experts in the field.
The Thin Green Line worked together with JGI and the girls, providing information regarding Ranger life and the importance of the Congress.
Impressed with their achievement in successfully sponsoring two Rangers, the Thin Green Line honoured the girls by presenting them with the ‘Young Conservationists of the Year’ award.
It is testament to the belief that everyone, no matter how young, can make a difference, make a change, make the decision to act.
The Toorak Roots & Shoots group has now not only sponsored the JGI-DRC’s Ecoguards to attend the Congress, but has established contact with both men and are learning more about their jobs, their lives and their families in Africa.
It also highlights the power of collaboration. JGI-Australia’s Alicia Kennedy, says,” JGI shares a strong friendship with The Thin Green Line and this project has been an example of how non-profit organisations can support each other’s work.
“It is simply wonderful that two of JGI’s Ecoguards will have this opportunity to attend the World Rangers Congress as a result of the collaboration and effort between the Thin Green Line and JGI – and most importantly, the incredible and enthusiastic contribution and support of the Toorak R&S group – its students, teachers and parents.
“We congratulate them for this wonderful outcome and are delighted to know that this project has started an exchange between one of our R&S groups here in Australia and the Ecoguards and their community in the DRC.”
For more information on the Thin Green Line Foundation go to http://www.thingreenline.org.au/
For more information on the World Rangers Congress go to http://www.pamsfoundation.org/world-rangers-congress
Camryn, Gemma and Hannah from Toorak R&S receive their Young Rangers Award from The Thin Green Line’s Sean Willmore.
