She’s the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees, but Dr Jane Goodall is hoping to connect with humans during a special lecture at The University of Winnipeg Friday night.
“I’m going to fight with my last breath for people to understand that we really, really abuse animals in so many horrible ways, but we abuse people too,” Goodall told CTV in an exclusive television interview Thursday.
Goodall is one of the guest speakers in a lecture series on social justice and the public good. She arrived in Winnipeg Thursday, and walked in to the interview clutching two toy chimpanzees.
The 81-year-old is a passionate activist, starting with her research on the social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania during the sixties. Goodall said when she returned from being with the primates after two years, people criticized her methods.
“I was told I shouldn’t have given them names – they should have had numbers – I shouldn’t talk about their problem solving, their minds or their emotions because those were unique to us,” said Goodall.
Now, after more than 50 years of study, her research has redefined the little that was known about human and primate interaction.
“Chimpanzees have really opened the doors and because of that, the science is now admitting that we are not the only beings with personality, mind and above all emotions,” said Goodall.
She continues to bring this message to people the world over. This stop in Winnipeg is her third, albeit brief, visit to the prairie city and Goodall has no plans to quit anytime soon.
“I am passionate for people to understand this, an awful lot of people don’t,” said Goodall.
When asked about the ecological issues Canada’s present and prospective leaders should address, Goodall turned her attention to climate change.
“I think that they should be thinking about clean green energy, getting away from a reliance on fossil fuels, thinking about the negative impact on the climate…these are so important,” she said.
Goodall launched her own efforts to continue education in 1977. The Jane Goodall Institute opened that day and has since continued supporting conservation efforts around the world.
As for anyone working towards creating meaningful change, Goodall’s advice is starting simple.
“Think every day about the little choices you make; what do I buy? What do I eat? What do I wear? How do I interact with people, environment and animals?” she said. “If people really start thinking that way, they’re going to make changes; they’re going to learn more.”
Goodall's interview with CTV News Winnipeg airs Friday on CTV Morning Live. She will speak at The University of Winnipeg Duckworth Centre later that day at 7 p.m.
The event is anticipated to be a full house, with line-ups starting at 5 p.m. for doors opening at 6 p.m. People will be seated on a first-come basis.
The lecture series was established to honour Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President of The University of Winnipeg from 2004-14, for his commitment to the public good, social justice and accessibility at the university.
