President Ma Ying-jeou on the morning of November 24 at the Presidential Office met with internationally renowned conservationist and United Nations Messenger of Peace Dr. Jane Goodall. President Ma, on behalf of the people and government of the ROC (Taiwan), extended a warm welcome to Dr. Goodall on her visit to Taiwan as well as appreciation for the various work she has carried out.
The president commented that over 40 years ago Dr. Goodall began her research of orangutans, displaying a high degree of concern for animals. She is also a foremost expert in the relationship between animals and humans. More than being a scholar, Dr. Goodall is a thinker who is concerned about the development of mankind. Dr. Goodall's work has helped trigger global attention to the preservation of animals, the nurturing of relationships between animals and humans, and issues related to environmental conservation, he said.
President Ma noted that Dr. Goodall has visited Taiwan many times and the Roots & Shoot Program that she heads up has a network of more than 8,000 groups in 96 countries throughout the world. The program encourages involvement among young people to take action in expressing concern for the environment, the community and animals. A related organization has been set up in Taiwan, the president said. President Ma recalled that he and Dr. Goodall previously planted trees together at the Taipei American School. He said he extremely admires Dr. Goodall's promoting knowledge in the field of conservation.
President Ma also lauded Dr. Goodall's research with regards to wildlife, saying that it is based on more than just pure enjoyment and concern. He said that Dr. Goodall has been responsible for many academic findings that are worthy of note in the international community. For instance, he said, Dr. Goodall discovered that some animals not only hunt for food, but are also able to make tools on their own. Meanwhile, some types of animals form social communities and different groups will fight one another. This discovery, he said, was an extremely important contribution in the field of animal sociology.
Dr. Goodall expressed her thanks to President Ma for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with her and also shared her experiences with him in promoting conservation work. She said the Roots & Shoots Program has enabled many young people to realize that they can show concern for the environment and help society, which in turn helps them to realize their own value. President Ma also explained to Dr. Goodall the various conservation work and policy goals of the government, saying that the government is willing to provide the necessary assistance and desires to see even more people in Taiwan join in these efforts in the future, working together to make Taiwan a better place.
Dr. Goodall was accompanied by The Jane Goodall Institute, Taiwan Chairman Arthur Chiang to the Presidential Office to meet President Ma.