Back To Green: Root For Environmental Education

Who on earth would put Dame Jane Goodall and the Hash House Harriers in the same boat? All is not what it seems, though. On September 24, the Roots & Shoots China World Summit will be held at the Jane Goodall Institute of China, featuring stage performances, informational displays about NGOs and environmental programs and fun educational activities. We chatted with Executive Director Lei Wong about China’s youth and meeting the British premier.

What’s the goal behind this year’s summit and why is it special?
The goal is to celebrate youth environmental activism. In addition to being a fun and educational community event, it will be a networking opportunity. We want to use this chance to help these motivated young people forge lifelong connections that will support and enable their future environmental endeavors.

Why the Hash House Harriers?
It seems an unlikely match. The Hash House Harriers are actually rather environmentally minded, so our collaboration came about quite naturally. They ’ll be dressing as different kinds of plants and animals on the day of the event. One amusing logistical problem arose in how we would coordinate their arrival. They originally planned to make the summit their last stop, but their tradition of “congratulating” one another after the run wasn’t in keeping with a family event. The summit is now one stop, rather than the final destination.

What is the most unexpected thing that you’ve encountered on the job?
I met Prime Minister David Cameron. I was giving a talk at the British embassy, and then the next day I got a call inviting us to be a part of his official visit to China. We weren’t sure how it’d pan out, but it eventually did.

Name another Roots & Shoots event our readers can go to.
Our “No Shark Fin Project” has a photo exhibition at the Beijing Zoo until September 20 called “The Price behind the ‘Wonderful Taste.’”

What does the environmental activist movement need to move forward?
Children are where we need to invest our time and energy. We can do everything we want to protect the environment today, but what if the next generation doesn’t take up the call to arms?

How can our readers help?
We’re look ing for more volunteers to help with the summit. Details about this and many more ways to get involved can be found at http://www.genyuya.org.cn/en/.