ECHO Award 2026
Award Ceremony
On Thursday, December 10, the 2026 ECHO Award ceremony will take place at the AMC campus of Amsterdam UMC.
The ECHO Award is an annual recognition for students from non-Western or refugee backgrounds who are enrolled in higher education and are making an impact on pressing social issues. Read more about the ECHO Award here.
The ceremony will highlight the finalists, who stand out for their dedication, vision, and contribution to a more inclusive society. The winners will also be announced during the ceremony.
Will you join us?
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2026
Time: The awards ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m., preceded by an optional buffet and guided tour
Location: Amsterdam UMC, AMC campus (Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ Amsterdam)
Language of the ceremony: Dutch (with live English translation)
Nominees & Finalists
This year, 27 students (and recent graduates) were nominated by their institutions for the visible social impact they are making, their contributions to policy and systemic change, and their exceptional leadership. They have all been recognized by their institutions for bringing about real change in the areas of diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. Together, they form the newest generation of the ever-growing ECHO Ambassadors Network.
See all the nominees here!
After careful consideration, the jury has selected 11 finalists based on their exceptional achievements and vision. We are proud to introduce them to you!
Finalists ECHO Award WO
- Aziza Filal
- Yorvanny Salazar
- Seyda Karaaslan
- Ridvan Aydin
- Miray Oglakçi
Finalists ECHO Award HBO
- Samira El Moussaoui
- Akram Amazian
- Remy Nyamukabakaba
Finalists ECHO Current Affairs Award
- Ibrahim Kamara
- Louise Ait Abdesselam
- Homasadat Mirbagheri
Program ECHO Award 2026
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Guided tours of the Vrolik Museum
Optional, in multiple groups, in consecutive sessions
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Buffet
Optional; you can join whenever you like
7:30 p.m. | Opening and Welcome
7:35 p.m. | Welcome Remarks
Saskia Peerdeman – Member of the Board of Directors, Amsterdam UMC
7:40 p.m. | Panel Discussion:
Featuring Vinod Subramaniam (Chair of the Executive Board, University of Amsterdam), Mai Chin A Paw (Professor of Youth and Health, Amsterdam UMC) and Meredith Overman (ECHO Ambassador, lecturer and researcher at Amsterdam UMC).
8:00 p.m. | Keynote
Kobi Ampoma – Head of Talent Acquisition (NL), HEINEKEN
8:10 p.m. | Introduction of the jury
Salim Rabbani – Chair of the ECHO Award Jury
8:15 p.m. | ECHO Awards Ceremony
During the awards ceremony, we’ll meet the finalists, and the winners will be announced in three categories:
- Current Affairs Award – 8:15 p.m.
- HBO Award – 8:35 p.m.
- WO Award – 9:05 p.m.
9:25 p.m. | Closing
9:30 p.m. | End of program
Recap
ECHO Award 2025
Read more about the nominees, finalists and award ceremony of last year’s ECHO Award.
Start the evening with a guided tour of the Vrolik Museum
Prior to the award ceremony, Amsterdam UMC is offering a free guided tour of the collection at Museum Vrolik, the anatomical museum located on the premises and known for its collection of medical heritage. The museum is opening the exhibition especially for our guests Imagine – The Future of Human Remains of Colonial Origin.
The guided tour offers a decolonial perspective on the collection. Led by a guide, you’ll reflect on the colonial origins of some of the human remains in the museum and on the history of scientific racism intertwined with them: a history that continues to shape how people of color and other marginalized groups are perceived to this day. You’ll learn how the museum, through provenance research and in collaboration with communities of origin, is seeking a respectful destination for these remains—ranging from restitution to the healing of colonial injustices.
The tour thus invites reflection on the questions that are also central to the ECHO Award: whose stories are being told, whose perspectives have long been ignored, and how can we work together toward a more just and inclusive future?
Participation is optional. If you are interested, you can use this registration form to sign up for a time slot prior to the ceremony. Please note: The collection contains human remains and may be considered disturbing.
