Speakers

Robby Makka (55)

Mr. Robby Makka (MSc), jurist and financial-economic analyst, is renowned for his well-founded commentary in the media on macroeconomics, finance, and, most notably, the diaspora. He has been knighted twice for his work in the diaspora—once royally in the Netherlands and once presidentially in Suriname. He is the only diaspora individual to be honored by both the Netherlands and Suriname in the same year for 25 years of selfless service to the diaspora cause.

For nearly 30 years, Robby Makka has tirelessly dedicated himself, without subsidies or reimbursement, to advancing diaspora-related initiatives through various roles as a leader, expert, advisor, and, most importantly, volunteer. Through his impactful community activities, he has supported both the Dutch and Surinamese diaspora. In the Netherlands, he is affectionately referred to as “Mister Diaspora.” Every week, he works with his mind, heart, and soul as a social entrepreneur to inform the Surinamese diaspora and followers as far away as Australia and America, evidenced by his numerous international travels.

Makka is a true “Diaspora Generator,” a “theme amplifier” for numerous diaspora organizations, and a technical expert on diaspora funds and capital. He is often regarded as the best friend of the Netherlands-Suriname relationship. Both in Suriname and the Netherlands, he is well-known for his service-oriented leadership through lectures, media interviews, jury participation, debates, and, above all, his roles as Chairman of the Diaspora Funds and Capital Foundations, the Surinamese Diaspora Platform, and the Knowledge Circle Netherlands-Suriname.

Residing in The Hague, Makka frequently speaks for cities like Rotterdam and Amsterdam, travels to various diaspora countries—especially for oil and gas—and flies to his homeland, Suriname. He has conducted extensive studies on diaspora topics and has mentored several diaspora university students in both the Netherlands and Suriname as a former lecturer and mentor.

His background includes a law degree, a post-master’s from Erasmus University, and a specialization in compliance management. In Suriname, he served as secretary and chairman of the Investment Committee from 1995 to 2003. With over 30 years of experience in the Ministry of Finance (nine in Suriname and 18 in the Netherlands, with assignments in Switzerland and Japan), he is currently a member of the management team at the Dutch Ministry of Finance.

Today, he speaks in his capacity as Chairman of DKF (www.dkf.sr), as well as through his platforms www.robbymakka.com and www.platformsurinaamsediaspora.com.