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Among many other roles, Landecker Fellow Hui-Hui Pan is the founder and director of the connecting platform Pan Asian Collective (PAC). In the context of the International Women’s Day, Hui-Hui was interviewed by PAC to talk about her reason to establish the platform, “Breaking the Bias,” and much more.
Despite being the literal force behind PAC, Hui-Hui does not want to be called a power woman. “That sounds like other women aren’t good enough,” she explains.
In the interview, Hui-Hui discussed the reasons for setting up PAC: from getting more representation of Asian people in the media and bringing the right forces in contact with the producers to inspiring one another and achieving more, together.
They have also talked about Hui-Hui’s experience with being seen in the workplace. “I’ve learned that you don’t have to be the best at something, you have to market yourself well,” Hui-Hui mentions. “In the Netherlands you are dealing with the Old Boys network that is used to talking itself up. Because we, [women and Asians], do that less, we are also less visible.”
It is a psychological phenomenon that you are more likely to promote someone who is similar to you.
Hui-Hui further contemplated on what “Breaking the Bias,” the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, means to her. “We need stories that can give nuance,” Hui-Hui believes, adding that there needs to be a lot more and better imaging, new stories, and a more open view to interact with each other.
As a woman you have to deal with different prejudices, let alone an Asian woman.
Finally, Hui-Hui gave some invaluable advice to women who want to develop in their career. “Dare. There is no right or wrong. If you fall, you get up again. Dare to ask for help when you fall, or along the way. And just do it,” she claims.
The full interview (in Dutch) is available on Pan Asian Collective’s website. To stay updated on her activities, make sure to follow Hui-Hui’s LinkedIn page!
Hui-Hui is one of thirty 2021-2022 Landecker Democracy Fellows. This fellowship, a collaboration between the Alfred Landecker Foundation and Humanity in Action, was created to strengthen a new generation of leaders whose approaches to political and social challenges can become catalysts for democratic placemaking and community building. Read more about the fellowship here.