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.

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!

ECHO Award Finalists at WO

• Aziza Filal
• Yorvanny Salazar
• Seyda Karaaslan
• Ridvan Aydin
• Miray Oglakçi

ECHO Award Finalists (HBO)

• Samira El Moussaoui
• Akram Amazian
• Remy Nyamukabakaba

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.