50 | access | summer

as a 17 year-old activist in iran,

Halleh ghorashi discovered

when the revolution came in

1979, that you can change the

world. However, two years after

the revolution came repression.

Barred from going to university

and having a place in public life,

her empowerment became

disempowerment as she found

herself forced to put her

education and, it seemed, her

whole life on hold.

In 1988, Halleh had to leave Iran, and seeking asylum in the Netherlands she

embraced her freedom with huge energy: learning Dutch and gaining

admission to study for a degree in Cultural Anthropology within a year of her

arrival. Flourishing as an academic and having published much research on

multicultural issues over the years, since 2005 she has gained further respect

as a specially appointed Professor. With support from high profile figures such

as Princess Máxima, the role is intended to help improve the situation for

immigrants in the Netherlands.

“It is difficult to change society as a whole”, she recognises, “but it is possi-

ble to change your situation within a society; to find safe spaces and net-

works where you can be yourself and nurture positive energy.” With a new

wave of revolutions stirring across the world and our own sensitivities to the

immigration and multicultural issues in the Netherlands, now seems like a

good time to get to know one of our local revolutionaries a bit more...

Getting to know...

Halleh Ghorashi

What is your idea of perfect happiness? To be true to yourself.

When and where were you happiest? During the revolution. Although I’d say it was para-dise and hell at the same time.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Assertiveness, here [in the Netherlands], it is often taken too far.

Which living person do you most despise? I believe that people are products of circum-stance, so I find it difficult to despise anyone.

What is your greatest regret? That I didn’t spend more time with my mother. She still lives in Iran and I’m not allowed to go back.

if you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I have already changed so much; from being a dogmatic revolutionary to a much more calm person. I suppose I would like to be more patient and enjoy life more.

if you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be? I feel like I have already died and come back - once is enough! Coming here as a refugee was like getting a new life.

Who are your heroes in real life? The women leaders now in Iran.

What is your motto? Stay positive and bring out the positive in others.

a mini proust questionnaire:

To find out more about Halleh Ghorashi, and her work as PaVEM-chair in Management of Diversity and Integration in the Department of Organisation Sciences of Faculty of Social Sciencesat the VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands see: www.hallehghorashi.com. p

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