Jane Goodall Conference in Brussels, Belgium

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This year, the British primatologist Jane Goodall celebrates 80 years. Eighty candles, and almost sixty of them dedicated to her passion for animals, especially chimpanzees, and for her willingness to protect them and their environment.

The Jane Goodall Institute Belgium intends to honor the United Nations' messenger of peace at her next visit to Belgium. The public is invited to a special conference and celebration May 7, 2014 at 20.15 at the Théâtre National. In the program: Jane Goodall will share her message of hope and wisdom through a conference. The event is also festive and will be accompanied by the music group Balimurphy and singer Kris Dane.

Origins 
1960. Jane Goodall went to Gombe Stream National Park on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania to observe and record the behavior of primates. Gradually accepted by chimpanzees, she gained membership with their entire group and spent 22 months with them. In 1965, she founded the research center on chimpanzees.

Groundbreaking Discoveries 
Jane Goodall observed new chimpanzee behaviors previously unknown, some of which were considered exclusive to humans. They are able to use tools: she observed them using branches dipped in termite mounds to catch insects. They are omnivorous and feed on species of smaller monkeys. They show behaviors such as aggression and violence, but also compassion and love. Just like in humans, their true nature contains both a dark and a good side.

Birth and Development of the Jane Goodall Institute
In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI). Its objective is to support the chimpanzee research center in Gombe Stream National Park. In the '80s, rampant deforestation and its impact on the chimpanzees in Africa forced Jane Goodall to focus her efforts on conservation rather than research.
She travels the world to share her experiences and educate the public about the need to protect these animals. Quickly the Institute saw that the protection of chimpanzees cannot be achieved without using an approach that meets the needs of local communities, key players for the survival of great apes. Since 1994, community-centered conservation programs are widely conducted in Central Africa. Today the JGI Belgium, one of 28 organizations around the world, supports projects in Tanzania, DRC and Republic of Congo.

The Roots & Shoots Program: a global network of involved young people
The '90s also marked the birth and development of the Roots & Shoots (R&S) program. This international network of young people carry out projects to benefit communities, animals, and the environment in 134 countries with over 15,000 active groups (25 in Belgium). In 2002, Jane Goodall was named a United Nations' Messenger of Peace for the creation of the Roots & Shoots program.
Jane Goodall in Belgium in May 2014
Today, the famous primatologist travels an average of 300 days per year in order to share her lectures, her message of hope, and her call to activism. “Every individual counts,” she said. “Every individual has a role to play. Each individual can make a difference.” On the occasion of her 80th birthday, Jane Goodall will give a lecture May 7, 2014 at 20h at the Théâtre National in Brussels. The festive atmosphere that will honor the great primatologist will be provided by the music group “Balimurphy” and singer Kris Dane. Art will also be showcased: wildlife artists will exhibit their works. 

The benefits of the evening will be funding the research and the conservation of chimpanzees at Gombe Research Center in Tanzania.