About the Committee

  • Remembering together throughout the Kingdom 

    The Slavery Memorial Committee is committed to a dignified and inclusive commemoration of the history of slavery throughout the Kingdom. From Aruba to Amsterdam and from Bonaire to Groningen: the history of slavery affects us all. We give space to different voices, stories, and ways of commemorating.  

  • Connecting, deepening, strengthening

    We support local and national commemorations, facilitate education and dialogue, and work with communities of descendants to raise awareness. Recent research shows that knowledge about the history of slavery is often lacking: in schools, institutions, and the public sphere. That is why we are committed to fairer education, broader narratives, and visible recognition.

  • Strength from the past,
    hope for the future

    We build on the strength of ancestors who continued to stand up despite injustice. We carry their stories with us as a source of resilience. At the same time, we recognize that structural inequality stems from a history that is not over. Together, we are working toward a future in which every person feels seen and heard, in every region of the Kingdom.

Working method Work organisation

Vacancies

NEW VACANCY – Director of the Slavery Memorial Committee
The Slavery Memorial Committee was established by the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations as part of the broader recognition of the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ history of slavery and its impact on the present day.
It is an independent foundation that receives an annual subsidy from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. We are looking for a director for the foundation’s working organization in The Hague.
Read more about the profile we are looking for, the recruitment procedure, and how to apply here (closing date is Sunday, November 9th).

See Vacancy

Composition & work organization

The Board

  • Chair

    Astrid Elburg

    Astrid Elburg is chair of the Commemoration Committee and an organizational consultant with expertise in inclusive leadership.

  • Treasurer, Representative of Bonaire

    Nolly Oleana

    Nolly Oleana is the former governor of Bonaire. In February 2025, he was nominated as a board member of the Memorial Committee.

  • Secretary, Representative of Saba

    Dimetri Whitfield

    Dimetri Whitfield is an anthropologist and journalist specializing in colonial history and social participation. He represents the Commemoration Committee since 2025.

  • Representative of Sint Maarten

    Clara Reyes

    Clara Reyes is head of the Culture Department at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports of Sint Maarten.

  • Board member, Representative for Aruba

    Gregory Richardson

    Gregory Richardson is an Aruban cultural anthropologist, lecturer and researcher.

  • Representative of NiNsee

    Wendeline Flores

    Wendeline Flores is a historian and curator with expertise in Caribbean cultures, colonial history, and the history of slavery.

The work organization

  • Director Caribbean part of the Kingdom, Based in Curaçao

    Lucia Beck

    Lucia Beck has been leading the committee’s activities in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom since January 2025.

  • Director of the working organization of the Slavery Memorial Committee

    Paulo Martina

    Paulo Martina took up his position as director of the working organization of the Slavery Memorial Committee on May 1, 2026.

Working method & core values

Our mission

The Slavery Memorial Committee stands for connection, recognition, and responsibility. We bring people and communities together, from Aruba to Amsterdam. We promote discussion about the history of slavery and its impact on the present.

Our vision

Integrity and transparency are central to our actions. We strive for a safe and respectful environment in which everyone involved feels taken seriously. In doing so, we remain true to our mission and dare to stay the course, even when that requires critical reflection and courageous choices.

Working method

Even when it is uncomfortable, we engage in dialogue. We listen attentively, give space to diverse voices, and contribute to a shared historical consciousness. Acknowledging discomfort, recognizing pain, and contributing to healing are central principles in this process. 

Our values

Integrity, equality, and transparency are paramount in our actions. In this way, we build lasting awareness, mutual respect, and social growth within the Kingdom.