Jane Goodall. She’s the Monkey Lady, right? Dame and doctor? Delicate but distinguished looking, with that lovely white ponytail… Yes – that’s her...
…but Londonist has been learning recently that there’s a lot more to her than that. Not content with saving all the monkeys in Tanzania, this energetic septuagenarian is now trying to save the planet. Her Roots & Shoots initiative is a wonderfully inspired programme designed to get youngsters (in over 100 countries and counting) involved with their community and nature at large. It’s about being nice to each other, and respecting the environment: it’s touchy-feely, sure, but it’s all good.
And as Dr. Jane is a UN Ambassador for Peace, in 2004 she devised the Roots & Shoots World Peace Day. This year it falls on Sunday 21st September – that’s this Sunday guys – and there’s a Rootin’ Shootin’ Peace March that’s gonna be winding its way around the Thames from City Hall along the South Bank, across the Millennium Bridge, over to the Tower and back. As the convoy will be carrying very large white paper doves, we imagine that they will be pretty hard to miss. There will be charitable hobnobbing before and after the parade, wherein you can find out more about roots, shoots white doves and where they intersect with red balloons.
To quote the venerable doctor:
“With the Peace Doves, we remind everyone of the truth they sometimes forget—that peace is possible. We celebrate all that is free and noble in the human spirit. And we celebrate all that so many people have done throughout the year—and will do next year—to create a better world.”
Not much you can argue with there.
The event is on from 11am - 4pm.
