Baldwin Sjollema was the first director of the WCC Programme to Combat Racism. He has also renowned for his commitment to the South African liberation movement. He grew up in the Netherlands during World War II and then embarked on a lifetime of international work for the WCC and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and their action for racial justice. In 2004 he was enlisted in the Order of the Companions of Oliver R. Tambo by the Government of South Africa.