Goodall to reflect on humans, natural world

Jane Goodall, a world-renowned primatologist, conservationist and United Nations Ambassador for Peace, will speak at Gonzaga University on Tuesday.

Her lecture, titled “Making a Difference,” will focus on hope for global peace between humans and the natural world.

In an interview with The Spokesman-Review last week, Goodall, who is perhaps most well-known for her work with chimpanzees, said her youth programs around the world give her the most hope.

“They are empowered, they are taking action and it’s incredibly inspiring for me traveling around the world and hearing and seeing what they’re actually doing,” Goodall said.

Challenges facing the health of the natural world now include poverty and a lack of global perspective.

“We’ve lost the wisdom of the indigenous people who made decisions based on ‘How does this decision that we make today affect our people generations ahead?’ ” Goodall said. “And now we’re saying, ‘How does it affect me now or the next shareholders meeting?’ ”

Goodall, 79, is speaking as part of Gonzaga’s third annual Presidential Speaker Series.