Ever since 1960, when Dr. Jane Goodall first began to study wild chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania, she has remained dedicated to her research. By clarifying the ecology and behavior of wild chimpanzees, she has illuminated the true nature of humans.

With her deep understanding of wild chimpanzees―our evolutional neighbors―Dr. Goodall has clarified the evolutionary origins of human nature. To put it another way, her studies of wild chimpanzees based on long-term observations epitomize her contribution to an enriched understanding of the interrelationships and integration among living organisms when seen from a global perspective. In terms of the ideal mode of study activities advocated by the International Cosmos Prize, her contributions can be largely summarized into the following three aspects.

Firstly, Dr. Goodall was the world’s first researcher to elucidate the ecology and behavior of wild chimpanzees. She discovered that chimpanzees make and use tools, as represented by termite fishing. She also reported that they eat and share meat, and pointed out the importance of the long-term mother-child bond observed in chimpanzees. Among Dr. Goodall’s recent achievements is her contribution to painting a complete picture of wild chimpanzees, in collaboration with other research sites in Africa. Specifically, she and her colleagues found that chimpanzee groups living in different regions, such as Gombe, Mahale, and Bossou, have different cultures of tool use, and have calculated chimpanzees’ life expectancy (about 50 years), birth rate (once every five years or so) and other demographic variables, as well as the frequency of fratricide (153 cases where chimpanzees killed other chimpanzees). So what are human beings? In response to this question, it can be said that her research on wild chimpanzees has demonstratively showed the true nature of humans and their evolutionary origin.

Secondly, Dr. Goodall created a paradigm in animal wildlife research, consisting of long-term continuous fieldwork based on ethological observations of individually recognized animals. This has now become a standard research methodology commonly used for elephants, giraffes, lions and other large endangered animals. Moreover, Dr. Goodall’s scope of activities is not limited to the academic field. She has pursued her fieldwork in conjunction with practical conservation initiatives, including tree-planting programs and environmental education activities. To be more specific, she has conducted afforestation programs to preserve forests that provide habitats for chimpanzees, and the Lake Tanganyika Catchment Reforestation and Education (TACARE) program, which is an environmental educational project designed for local community residents. In summary, Dr. Goodall differentiates her own work from conventional long-term field research activities, in that it is connected with practical conservation activities.

Thirdly, Dr. Goodall is the originator and founder of Roots & Shoots (R & S), an environmental educational program, under which now more than 150,000 groups are actively working in 99 countries around the world. Characteristically, Roots & Shoots promotes environmental awareness campaigns inspiring young people to voluntarily take action to make a difference. Their grass-roots activities aim to make positive change “for people, for animals and for the environment.” For details, please visit the website https://www.rootsandshoots.org/.

Dr. Goodall has been designated as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, for her highly acclaimed environmental education activities. Launched in 1991, Roots & Shoots has a history that’s a quarter-century long. The International Cosmos Prize is awarded for research work that addresses all life phenomena in the natural world and their relationship with humans, as well as humans as part of nature. Roots & Shoots could be described as an attempt in which such research work has culminated in environmental learning campaigns that are organized and implemented by young people on their own initiatives. If not applied practically, science and research would have little value. Dr. Goodall turns 83 years old this year. Despite her great age, she is still actively traveling around the world, delivering about 300 lectures each year.

As stated above, her pioneering research on wild chimpanzees based on long-term observations has been greatly instrumental in promoting understanding of the interrelationships and integration among all living organisms from a global perspective. Dr. Goodall also proposed and founded a distinguished environmental education program that helps young people become an informed generation of conservation leaders. These achievements have made Dr. Jane Goodall a deserving recipient of the International Cosmos Prize, whose governing principle is “The Harmonious Coexistence between Nature and Mankind.