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Shruti and Lakiescha were nominated for an ECHO Award

Shruti and Lakiescha were nominated for an ECHO Award

Published on 30-03-2026 15:40
If you are a UvA student with a migration or refugee background who is committed to greater diversity, equity and inclusion in society, you can be nominated for an ECHO Award until 20 May 2026. Shruti Dubey and Lakiescha Tol were previously nominated and explain what this has meant to them.
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Shruti: ‘When you’re part of an initiative that celebrates diversity, the ECHO award is a great place’

Shruti Dubey

Shruti Dubey studied at the Amsterdam University College. She was born in Bangkok.

Shruti: ‘I was nominated for my work in Right2Education: an NGO founded to provide free language classes and social events to refugees and asylum seekers in the Netherlands. All nominees join the ECHO Ambassadors Network. That’s where I talked to people who were part of amazing initiatives. This really inspired me. I realised that we may think the change we bring about is small, but if you zoom out, it's all those  little changes in the world that leads to our community actually moving forward.’’

Lakiescha: ‘Thanks to the nomination, I became part of such a wonderful community’

Lakiescha Tol

Lakiescha Tol studied Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics (PPLE). In 2024, she was nominated for her role within the PPLE Diversity Board, where she put diversity and inclusion on the agenda. Additionally, Lakiescha is co-founder of the Zetje In Foundation. Lakiescha: ‘We founded Zetje In to better embed topics such as racism and discrimination in Dutch education. We develop teaching materials and advise policymakers and politicians.’

For Lakiescha as well, contact with other nominees proved extremely valuable. Lakiescha: ‘ECHO organises activities where you meet other nominees. There is a great atmosphere, not competitive at all. You meet really interesting, inspiring people who all contribute to putting diversity and inclusion on the agenda. Everyone has a great deal of admiration for one another. That support really does you good.’

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