Mauritius hosts Indentured Labour Route International Conference

The three-day Indentured Labour Route International Conference, being held from 13 to 15 May under the theme “The Indentured Labour Route at the Crossroads: Imagining New Futures for the Global Diaspora,” officially opened, today, at the Paul Octave Wiehe Auditorium in Réduit in the presence of the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Mahendra Gondeea.

The President of the International Scientific Committee of the Indentured Labour Route Project (ILRP), Dr Farzana Gounder; the Chairperson of the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund (AGTF), Mr Sukhend Ramadass; the Head of Secretariat of the ILRP and Director of the AGTF, Mr Ved Prakash Bhundhun; diplomatic corps, Mauritian and international scholars as well as other personalities were present.

The event is an initiative of the AGTF in collaboration with the Ministry of Arts and Culture. It aims to develop a roadmap for research on indentured labour over the next decade, strengthen historical and contemporary linkages between indenture experiences across the Indian Ocean, Atlantic, and Pacific regions, and expand research from regional case studies to a broader global framework. The event also seeks to address contemporary post-indenture challenges and diasporic connections while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among policymakers, researchers, and community leaders.

In his keynote address, Minister Gondeea stated that the conference marks an important milestone for Mauritius and all nations linked through the shared history of indenture. He noted that Mauritius remains one of the most significant places to host such a gathering, as the history of indenture is deeply rooted in the country’s identity and heritage. Referring to the Aapravasi Ghat, he underlined that the UNESCO World Heritage Site stands as a symbol of courage, resilience and hope for generations of indentured labourers.

The Minister further highlighted that the conference goes beyond revisiting history and aims to shape the future of indenture studies through international dialogue, research and cooperation. He also welcomed the soft launch of the Indentured Labour Database, describing it as an important step towards positioning Mauritius as a global centre for research, documentation and collaboration in indenture studies. Reaffirming Government’s commitment to heritage preservation, he stressed that heritage should serve as a bridge that unites people and preserves humanity’s shared memory for future generations.

For her part, Dr Gounder emphasised that the ILRP has evolved into a global initiative connecting countries, institutions and communities linked through the history of indenture. She noted that one of the project’s key priorities is the development of an international indentured labour database bringing together archival records, migration histories and community knowledge into a shared global resource.

As for Mr Ramadass, he underlined the major contribution of indentured labourers in shaping societies, cultures and economies around the world. He reiterated the commitment of the AGTF to advancing research, conservation, education and dialogue on indentured labour history while ensuring that this important heritage continues to be preserved and transmitted to future generations.

13 May 2026

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Topics: Culture