“Everything led in the most natural way, it seems now, to that magical invitation to Africa in 1957 … My mission was to get close to the chimpanzees, to live among them, to be accepted.”

These words are spoken by renowned primatologist and conservationist, Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, in the opening moments of her eponymous documentary. The film, which was produced by National Geographic in 2017 and pieced together from over 100 hours of footage shot in the 1960s, thought lost to time until it was rediscovered in 2014, offers a rare glimpse into the early life and career of one of the most fascinating and groundbreaking scientists of the 20th century. 

Dr. Goodall’s pioneering research into the behavior of primates, and specifically, chimpanzees, constitutes one of the largest leaps in how we understand our distant relatives, since the earth-shattering breakthroughs of Darwin himself. And what made this titan of wildlife particularly compelling was not only her willingness to tread deep into uncharted territories of scientific inquiry, but into uncharted territories of the natural world, having lived amongst her subjects for long stretches at a time while gaining their trust and earning their respect.

Moreover, her first foray into the jungles of Gombe, Tanzania was not as a trained professional carrying out her life’s work, but as secretary to a scientist who brought Dr. Goodall along due to her passion for animals and the fact that she could provide insights untainted by the dominant scientific theories of the time.

Needless to say, she was a young woman in a man’s world, which was further obscured by its relocation to the remote wilderness. Yet she went on, in no uncertain terms, to completely revolutionize humanity.

And so it is that when you get to be in the presence of a figure such as Dr. Goodall, you are truly in the presence of all that is great and, in the purest sense of the word, inspiring, about the human spirit. Therefore, when over 600 folks, young and old, from across Beijing, packed into Harrow Beijing’s auditorium this past Wednesday (Nov 13) for “An Evening with Jane,” the excitement, reverence, and admiration was palpable.

The event — which was organized by the British Chamber of Commerce in China, and supported by Roots and Shoots, ConocoPhillips, the British Embassy, Beijing Field Studies, the Jane Goodall Institute, and Harrow Beijing — featured a screening of the documentary, some powerful words from the guest of honor, and a Q & A. 

Touching on everything from raising her own child on the plains of the Serengeti and readjusting to life in Britain after months on assignment, to being chased by buffalo and the time her students were kidnapped by a rebel faction in the Congo, this was one lecture that certainly had it all. And despite the fact that Dr. Goodall talked about the catastrophic effects of climate change, and the drastic measures that we must take to ensure the preservation of natural worlds for generations to come, she spoke with a sense of optimism, perhaps buoyed by the fact that there were so many young people in attendance, who were entirely rapt by her presence and words.

Likewise, when asked about the discrimination she faced as a woman in the field, Dr. Goodall struck a lighthearted tone. Citing an oft-repeated story about people claiming at the time that, given her lack of scientific credentials, and all but ignoring the amount of dedicated hours she put into her work, she was only famous because of her legs, the audience member posed the question, “Does this piss you off? And what other obstacles have you faced in your career because of your gender?”

In reply, Dr. Goodall stated that, “The legs thing is kind of funny actually, because if someone is told today, ‘you’re only famous because of your legs,’ that’s really insulting and disgusting. But when people said, ‘she’s only famous because of [National] Geographic covers and her legs, I thought, well if that’s going to give me money to do my research, thank you legs!” Adding, “You have to admit, they were pretty good legs,” to the audience’s delight.

And therein lies the beauty and the heart of who Dr. Goodall is. No matter the challenges she faced as a woman, no matter the challenges she faced in alien and hostile environments, and no matter the challenges we face today as stewards of a rapidly deteriorating planet, with a little bit of humor, a little bit of patience, and a whole lot of determination, our abilities to shift paradigms, both collectively and individually, is always within reach. 

To get involved with Dr. Goodall’s organization, Roots and Shoots, click here.

Photos: British Chamber of Commerce

We probably don’t need to tell you that traditionally in the Chinese household men are often placed before women in the social hierarchy. Age-old beliefs still create pressure on families to produce a boy so the family name will carry on. While great strides in some areas have been made, particularly in working and taking on greater roles in professional and public life, true gender equality is still an area that requires some examination so that real progress can be made.

This event sponsored by the Beijing International Society is being held on March 9 (7.30pm) at the Embassy of Romania, and will be going over the history of China’s journey towards gender equity. In China, almost all aspects of modern life are moving pretty fast, and areas such as gender equality, though still deeply rooted in Confucian philosophies that are thousands of years old, are no exception.

Hear veteran women’s rights advocate Wu Qing, gender scholar Can Yi Ping, and moderator Hong Huang as they share on a variety of topics related to the history, economics, and future of women’s rights in China.

More than ever women’s rights issues regarding gender gaps in today’s society are taking the spotlight. As parents, we should be informing ourselves on ways to construct a household that breaks from patriarchy norms, and not just perpetuating the environments we maybe grew up in. The world is changing, and not only do we want our children to be knowledgeable about these changes, but also a force in making these changes happen when their time comes.

BIS events are open to foreign passport holders only and photography, filming and recording are not permitted.
Non-members are welcome for a single lecture fee of RMB 60, while students with valid ID are allowed entrance for RMB 30. Go here for more info in the event.

Photo: zhendegender.com

The beijingkids and JingKids 2014 Spring School Choice Fair is sponsored by RGF AIR Purifiers.  

The third annual beijingkids and JingKids 2014 Spring School Choice Fair sponsored by RGF AIR Purifiers is this weekend, at the Hilton Beijing on March 1 and 2 from 10am-4pm. This is your chance to get face time and information from representatives from over 30 of Beijing’s top schools, as well as attend education related lectures and parent led panels.

Study up on all participating schools with the beijingkids 2014-2015 School Choice Guide, (articles, 70 school listings and entire magazine online).

Don’t forget preregistration is required for the fair — click here to register:

• www.beijing-kids.com/scf
• or use the JingKids (Chinese only) site www.jingkids.com/zxz

The schools confirmed to date are: 

1. 3e International School
2. Australian Haileybury International School(Tianjin Campus)
3. Beanstalk International Bilingual School
4. Beijing BISS International School
5. Beijing City International School
6. Beijing Collegiate Academy
7. Beijing Huijia Private School 
8. Beijing International Bilingual School
9. Beijing No 4 High School International campus
10. Beijing SMIC Private School
11. Beijing World Youth Academy
12. British School of Beijing
13. Canadian International School of Beijing
14. Daystar Academy
15. Dulwich College Beijing
16. Harrow International School Beijing
17. House of Knowledge
18. International Deparetment of  Beijing No 4 High School
19. International Montessori Teaching Institute
20. Ivy Schools
21. JiaDe Montessori kindergarten
22. Keystone Academy
23. Maple International Academy
24. Muffy’s International Kindergarten (MIK)
25. Saint Paul American School (SPAS)
26. The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China
27. Tsing Hua International School  (THIS)
28. Wellington College International Tianjin
29. Yew Chung International School of Beijing
30. Yew Wah Infant and Toddler Education Center  
31. Yew Wah International Education School

You can also get information from exhibitors in health care, after school education and camps: 

1. Bayley & Jackson Medical Center
2. Century Glory International Education
3. Foundation Global  Education
4. Haiyi Education Group
5. Hongkong International Medical Clinic
6. Horizon Sports Medicine Clinic
7. JTC  Camp
8. New Century Women’s  and Children’s Hospital
9. OASIS Health Management Hospital
10. OASIS International Hospitals
11. Princeton English and Amercian Culture Camp
12. Stateside Adventures
13. The Learning Center
14. YESSAT 

Kids’ Corners

Ivy Schools will host a kids’ corner for younger children (age 2-6) on the second floor from 10am to 4pm. Activities include creative art, a sensory table, science exploration and a library corner. Free. 

Older children can visit the third floor, for a creative art based children’s corner hosted by the newly launched UCCA Creative Studio. Suitable for children aged 5-12 years from 10am to 4pm. Free.

About our sponsor RGF AIR Purifiers

With our signature PHI pro-active air filtration system, RGF Air Purifier is a breakthrough in the history of air purification.  The innovation is nothing like the existing technologies and we are leading the field of air purification with advanced technology.

With our product, you will no longer be bothered by the typical problems: purification blind spots, insufficient treatment, secondary pollution, excessive cost, distracting noise and more.

The new technology allows you to breathe forest-like fresh air by eliminating harmful micro-organisms and substances in the air, including bacteria, viruses, mould, formaldehyde, benzene, TVOC, odors, and PM2.5 particles.

With RGF, you have nothing to worry about the air around you! Relax and enjoy.

For further inquiries, you can get in touch with the marketing team either by calling 5941 3243 or emailing events@beijing-kids.com to get more information about attending the event. If you wish to participate in the School Choice Fair please e-mail  schoolchoicefair@truerun.com.

beijingkids file photo. Photo courtesy of ivyschools.com

The beijingkids and JingKids 2014 Spring School Choice Fair is sponsored by RGF AIR Purifiers.  

Several years back, parents had limited schooling options in the capital but now there are international, local and amalgamated schools to choose from. Here lies in the conundrum, where do I take my child to school?  We are nearly two weeks away from the 2014 beijingkids and JingKids Spring School Choice Fair sponsored by RGF AIR Purifiers on March 1 and 2 at the Hilton Hotel Beijing, where you can get information about schooling from the exhibitors, education related lectures and parent led panels.

Preregistration is required — click here to register: www.beijing-kids.com/scf

A prelude to the event, the fourth annual beijingkids School Choice Guide  hit the streets last week featuring 70 schools listings up from last year’s 62 from small kindergartens to expansive K-12. This year apart from listing the school fees structures, student population, facilities, we added wanted to find out if the schools were registered with the Ministry of Education as well as local and international accrediations. Furthermore, the articles touch on topical issues such as the different curricula available, money matters, tackling air pollution, admission process and after school education. Get your online copy here.

Armed with information from the School Choice Guide, mingle with school representatives from the following schools: 

1. 3e International School
2. Beanstalk International Bilingual School
3. Beijing BISS International School
4. Beijing City International School
5. Beijing Collegiate Academy
6. Beijing Huijia Private School
7. Beijing International Bilingual School
8. Beijing No 4 High School
9. Beijing SMIC Private School
10. Beijing World Youth Academy
11. British School of Beijing
12. Canadian International School of Beijing
13. Daystar Academy
14. Dulwich College Beijing
15. Harrow International School Beijing
16. High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China
17. House of Knowledge
18. International Montessori Teaching Institute
19. Ivy Schools
20. JiaDe Montessori kindergarten
21. Keystone Academy
22. Maple International Academy
23. Muffy’s International Kindergarten (MIK)
24. Saint Paul American School (SPAS)
25. Tsing Hua International School  
26. Wellington College International Tianjin
27. Yew Chung International School of Beijing
28. Yew Wah International Education School
29. Yew Wah Infant and Toddler Education Center

Schools are not the only exhibitors present get information about health care, after school education and camps from the following: 

1. The Learning Center
2. Hong Kong International Medical Clinic
3. Bayley & Jackson Medical Center
4. Stateside Adventures
5. JTC  Camp
6. Foundation Global  Education
7. Century Glory International Education
8. New Century Women’s  and Children’s Hospital
9. Horizon Sport Medicine Clinic

Lecture Series: The Boarding experience and 21st Century Education

Wellington College International Tianjin  will give a lecture on, ‘The Boarding experience and 21st Century Education’ by headmaster Murray Fowler on March 1 from 1-2.30pm as they join Dulwich College Beijing, Harrow International School Beijing and the International Montessori Teaching Institute, for the lecture series sessions.

Mr. Murray Fowler has been the Headmaster of Wellington College International Tianjin since August 2013.  He was among the pioneers in the school’s establishment in Tianjin as second headmaster from August 2011. Before that, he spent 20 years with the Wellington College, UK holding various positions from head of Geography, head of year 12 group and both Deputy Director of the IB Diploma and CAS coordinator. He holds a degree Geography from King’s College, London, and training as a teacher in Oxford. 

Kids’ Corner

The newly launched UCCA Creative Studio will host a creative art based children’s corner from children aged 5-12 years on the third floor from 10am to 4pm. This is free.

About our sponsor RGF AIR Purifiers

With our signature PHI pro-active air filtration system, RGF Air Purifier is a breakthrough in the history of air purification.  The innovation is nothing like the existing technologies and we are leading the field of air purification with advanced technology.

With our product, you will no longer be bothered by the typical problems: purification blind spots, insufficient treatment, secondary pollution, excessive cost, distracting noise and more.

The new technology allows you to breathe forest-like fresh air by eliminating harmful micro-organisms and substances in the air, including bacteria, viruses, mould, formaldehyde, benzene, TVOC, odors, and PM2.5 particles.

With RGF, you have nothing to worry about the air around you! Relax and enjoy.

For further inquiries, you can get in touch with the marketing team either by calling 5941 3243 or emailing events@beijing-kids.com to get more information about attending the event. If you wish to participate in the School Choice Fair please e-mail  schoolchoicefair@truerun.com.

beijingkids file photo

Olivia Lee is our nutrition columnist here at beijingkids and while she’s not working on her next article, baking healthy treats, or having fun with her lovely family, she’s holding interesting seminars (mini-group sessions) from home.

Lee’s next mini-group session deals with prenatal health – specifically the role a healthy diet plays in a child’s long-term health future.

The details below are taken from Lee’s website:

Building Baby

Programming your child’s health future

Flexi-mini group sessions

What makes us the way we are?

Why are some people predisposed to be anxious, overweight or asthmatic?

Conventional answers for those questions point to the DNA we inherited, childhood experiences, daily environment,  lifestyle choices etc.

However, you may not have considered another powerful reason.  New studies are now showing that our life as a fetus can influence our future health too.

Even before egg meets sperm, nutritional status can have significant and surprising effects on your potential baby’s health future.  Once conception happens, the baby’s organs are developing at an incredible rate, your personal nutrition will play a significant role in the outcome of the pregnancy and may even influence how you experience the pregnancy too.

Topics include

• Why nutrition matters before getting pregnant
• What you really need to help ‘build’ a happy and healthy baby
• Reducing the chances of baby’s future risk of heart disease, obesity and diabetes with the right nutrition during pregnancy
• Avoiding unnecessary weight gain
• Coping with unique challenges of living in Beijing such as stress, pollution etc
• Q&A

Price 150RMB per person, payment at the door (Men may join but only with the permission of the other women in the group)

• Session price includes workbooks for taking notes
• Held in my house, the sofa is comfy and the bathroom is nearby and clean
• Location is China Central Place Apartments north of DaWang Bridge [near Shin Kong Shopping Center]
• Some healthy snacks will be provided

About the Speaker

Olivia Lee is the regular nutrition columnist for beijingkids Magazine.

• MSc in Nutrition (USA) and Certified Counselor (Singapore)
• Professional member of the National Association of  Nutrition Professionals (NANP)

Dates, Times & Coordination

8th April, Fri 10am

9th April, Sat 2pm

• Registration is via email
• Above talk dates are penciled in and can be adjusted to fit the group’s needs.
• The current spread of times should suit most stay at home or working women
• To make efficient use of my time, I need a min of 4 attendees, so email me your preferences (Name, Mobile/Cell number, Date)
• Additional workshops can be arranged for any group of 4 or more attendees
• FYI I have cats which will be locked away for the duration. If you are allergic, we can arrange for a private session elsewhere.
• If you cannot attend, please make sure you contact me so others are not kept waiting for me to start.
• I reserve the right to cancel any session that does not meet the minimal number of attendees.
• Registration closes 24 hrs before it starts (I need to print and bind those workbooks! Make snacks etc)