01/07/2023
Today we celebrate Keti Koti! 🎊
Each year on July 1, the abolishment of slavery is commemorated during Keti Koti. And today, we shine the spotlight on our esteemed alumnus, Steven Dias Pires!
“For me personally it’s important to raise awareness about Keti Koti, particularly among young adults. Because Keti Koti holds relevance for anyone who shares the Dutch colonial past,” says Steven. He studied Entrepreneurship and Retail Management (). Not only that, he also served as a board member of the student association .tribez.
Now, Steven has been appointed as part of the Advisory Committee on the Colonial and Slavery History in The Hague. “I’ve always harbored an ambition to be actively engaged in society. Take the youth center in my neighborhood for example, where I’ve been involved for 10 years. By participating in the Advisory Committee, I aim to better represent the voice of the youth. Furthermore, I hope to make education about the colonial past more accessible. Young people’s voices are often not heard in the discourse surrounding Dutch colonial history, discrimination, or racism. Therefore I feel very lucky!”
👉 On July 1, 1863, slavery was legally abolished in the Dutch colonies of Suriname and the Caribbean. Nevertheless, it wasn’t until 1873 that the enslaved individuals in Suriname truly gained their freedom, due to a transition period in which they were required to continue working on the plantations. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the complete abolition, making it a year of special remembrance. Keep an eye on the Inclusion Office and , part of THUAS: they will organize more activities and lectures in the future regarding this special year.