After his extensive research on colonial machinations of multinational Heineken in Africa (“Heineken in Africa”, 2019), Dutch investigative journalist Oliver van Beemen delved into new neocolonial practices of Europe’s southern neighbours (“Im Namen der Tiere”, meaning “In the Name of Wildlife”, 2024). Van Beemen labels the business of NGO African Parks as “Green Colonialism”—after all, this organisation 22 national preserves covering an area the size of Great Britain. It grants extensive powers to armed forces for the sake of protecting the areas. From terrorists, from poachers and from the population. Locals are not allowed to access the land anymore that they traditionally used, there is torture and rape. Safari tourism and donations from billionaires and western governments yield high revenues for the organisation. At its very top, there is a white elite giving their all to only let beautiful images of big game and pristine nature leak out.
Olivier van Beemen
Investigative Journalist, Netherlands
In conversation with
Veronika Knapp
City Library of Innsbruck
