Living with the consequences of ecocide

Imagine Peace presents Living with the consequences of ecocide

During the event Living with the Decolonization of the earth: Plants, Trees after Conflict at the Wereldmuseum Leiden - part of the Imagine Peace series - we reflect on the consequences of the exploitation of the earth through colonialism and capitalism. We explore how economic interests have often been placed above those of nature, plants, trees, and people. Wars and conflicts continue to exhaust the earth, leaving her devastated for those who depend on her.

Van oorlog, conflict en gedwongen verhuizing tot ecocide

In times of war and conflict, it is not only people who are affected — the landscape also suffers. Plants, trees and entire ecosystems are damaged or disappear completely. This meeting at the Wereldmuseum Leiden invites you to reflect together on the forgotten ecological consequences of violence and oppression.

We will explore the links between climate justice, war and decolonisation, and discuss topics such as:

Ecocide as a result of colonialism
Current ecocide — Papua
Unseen ecocide

©Tjeerd Royaards

Is een vredige relatie tussen de aarde en de mens mogelijk?

As global conflicts increase and the environment is destroyed, the scale of ecological loss is also growing. Using examples from South Africa — including Cape Town and its unique plant life — and the ecocide in West Papua, we connect historical events with contemporary ecological damage. For example, we discuss the colonisation of South Africa in 1652 and the forced relocations of 1952. But also the transfer of West Papua from the Netherlands to Indonesia in 1962 and the arrival of Papuans in the Netherlands in the years that followed.

We reflect on how inaccessible areas, full of valuable nature, are often destroyed or replaced without knowledge or meaning. And how restoration and recognition – for both people and nature – are essential for true climate justice.

What would the Earth look like if we gave it space to recover, by replanting it with respect for how it once was?

Practical information

Location: Wereldmuseum Leiden

13:45 Doors open
14:00 Programme starts
17:00 Programme ends

Podcast recordings will be made during the event. If you would prefer not to be heard on the podcast, please let one of our staff members know before the event.

Sprekers

We have invited several speakers to share their perspectives from different angles. Read more about them below.

Rupert Koopman

Rupert is a botanist based in Cape Town, South Africa who uses the flexibility of freelance work to protect and increase the appreciation of South Africa’s flora. Previous roles in both government and the NGO sector focussing on the protection of South Africa's plants, especially fynbos of the Cape, give him a good overview of our country's green wealth. Rupert's interests include SA's threatened plant species, citizen science, food plants, making plant conservation more relevant and accessible to a broader audience and participating in multidisciplinary projects. Being a qualified tour guide gives him a further platform to weave history, science and current affairs into a single narrative. 

Rupert Koopman

Fadjar Schouten – Korwa

Fadjar werkt als mensenrechtenjurist en heeft Papoea roots. Ze zet zich actief in voor klimaatrechtvaardigheid en de rechten van inheemse volkeren. Daarnaast is Fadjar voorzitter van het bestuur van de Stichting Samenwerkende Organisaties voor West Papua (SOWP) en lid van de Commissie Maatschappelijk Debat van het juristencollectief Recht voor Klimaat. In het bijzonder is Fadjar mede-initiatiefnemer van het Papoeahuis. Het Papoeahuis – onder auspiciën van SOWP - wordt een kenniscentrum waar iedereen terecht kan voor informatie over West Papua. Vooralsnog wordt het Papoeahuis een digitale plek waar informatie over de (gedeelde) geschiedenis en de huidige situatie in West Papua te vinden zal zijn. In de toekomst wordt het Papoeahuis ook een fysieke ontmoetingsplaats.

Fadjar Schouten – Korwa

Femke Schouten

As the grandchild of an Indigenous Papuan from Biak I advocate for Indigenous perspectives in climate and nature conservation debates. Working at IUCN NL after completing a master's in Nature and Forest Conservation at WUR, aiming to advance environmental and climate justice. Interests: Indigenous rights, locally-led conservation, (customary) land rights, land grabs, gendered effects of deforestation.

Femke Schouten

Carla Kabamba

Meer informatie over Carla Kabamba komt binnenkort online.

Carla Kabamba

Meer informatie over Carla Kabamba komt binnenkort online.

.enviso-tickets.enviso-tickets-mobile { display: block !important; }

Met je bijdrage ondersteun je ons educatief aanbod, tentoonstellingen en publieksprogramma's, maar ook onderzoek en restauratie. Jouw donatie, klein of groot, is ontzettend waardevol.

Living with the consequences of ecocide

Imagine Peace presents Living with the consequences of ecocide

Van oorlog, conflict en gedwongen verhuizing tot ecocide