Report on the 7th German-Arab Women’s Forum
Berlin, Germany | 4–7 October 2026

The 7th German-Arab Women’s Forum marked the closing event of the 6th cohort of the German-Arab mentoring program OUISSAL, implemented by EMA e.V. in cooperation with the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE) and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The Forum brought together women entrepreneurs and leaders from ten participating countries: Germany, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia.

Following a year of kick-off meetings, online mentoring, online and in-person workshops, networking events, and cross-cultural exchange, the Forum provided an opportunity for mentors and mentees to meet in person, reflect on their experiences, celebrate their achievements, and strengthen the relationships developed throughout the program. It also offered participants a platform to present their businesses, exchange ideas, and establish new professional contacts. The four-day program combined interactive workshops, cultural activities, participation in the 3rd Equality Day, and a high-level networking reception.

Day 1 – Arrival and Welcome Dinner | 4 October 2026

Participants arrived in Berlin and checked in at the Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz, which served as the delegation hotel. In the evening, EMA e.V. hosted a welcome dinner for participants who had arrived in time.

The dinner marked the first opportunity for the entire cohort to meet face to face after a year of online mentoring and workshops. The informal setting and buffet dinner encouraged open conversations, personal introductions, and the exchange of experiences across countries and professional backgrounds. For many participants, meeting their mentors and fellow mentees in person was an important milestone in their OUISSAL journey.

The evening established a welcoming atmosphere for the days ahead and gave participants an opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and build new relationships within the wider OUISSAL community.

Day 2 – Workshop and Alumni Exchange | 5 October 2026

The second day focused on reflection, networking, and the future of the OUISSAL community. Following breakfast at the hotel, participants walked together to the Memox venue at Alexanderplatz, where the workshop took place in a welcoming and informal environment.

The morning began with the presentation of the OUISSAL Journey Posters, prepared by each Growth Team. The posters documented the teams’ experiences throughout the program, including their achievements, key learnings, challenges, and plans for the future. During a gallery walk, participants moved between the posters, discussed the different journeys, and asked questions. This format encouraged participants to learn from one another, discover shared experiences, and exchange practical ideas across countries and sectors.

A cross-country lunch provided further opportunities for informal networking and strengthened the connections between participants beyond their individual Growth Teams.

In the afternoon, the OUISSAL Alumni Lab invited participants to reflect on how the relationships established during the program could continue beyond the formal project period. Working together, they brainstormed ideas for maintaining contact, exchanging knowledge, and supporting one another professionally. The groups subsequently presented their ideas, demonstrating a shared interest in keeping the OUISSAL community active and connected.

The day concluded with the OUISSAL certificate ceremony, recognizing participants’ commitment and contributions to the program. Following the official workshop, participants had a free evening to explore Berlin. Favourable weather allowed them to enjoy the city, including its skyline and sunset views, as well as boat cruises and other sightseeing activities.

Day 3 – Cultural Exchange, Equality Day and Networking Reception | 6 October 2026

The third day was the most intensive part of the Forum, combining cultural activities with opportunities to engage with wider professional and institutional networks.

The morning began with a guided sightseeing tour of Berlin, including landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island, and the Berlin TV Tower. The group also gathered for a photograph at the Brandenburg Gate. The tour offered participants an introduction to the history and cultural identity of Germany’s capital while providing additional opportunities for informal exchange.

Following the tour, participants attended the 3rd Equality Day, organised by the Federal Foundation for Gender Equality (Bundesstiftung Gleichstellung). The event brought together approximately 1,000 participants from politics, business, academia and civil society to discuss gender equality and related issues in Germany.

OUISSAL was represented on the Weitblick Stage during the session “The Federal Foundation for Gender Equality in Conversation.” Clara Gruitrooy, Initiator of OUISSAL and Managing Director of FidAR; Tanja-Susanne Schleifer, OUISSAL Mentor from Germany; and Nouran Elghazouly, OUISSAL Mentee from Egypt, shared their experiences and reflected on the value of cross-cultural mentoring, mutual learning and professional exchange across borders.

The session provided an opportunity to present OUISSAL to a wider audience and demonstrate how mentoring can support women in recognising their potential, addressing professional challenges and developing new perspectives for their businesses and careers. Participation in the Equality Day also enabled mentors and mentees to connect with stakeholders working on gender equality and women’s participation in economic and public life.

In the evening, EMA e.V. hosted the OUISSAL Networking Reception at Memox Berlin in cooperation with the Federal Foundation for Gender Equality, FidAR – Frauen in die Aufsichtsräte e.V., and the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE).

The reception brought together OUISSAL participants and invited guests from diplomacy, politics, civil society and the private sector. Dr. Katharina Stasch, Director-General for Global Alliances, European Union and Economic Cooperation at BMZ, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the relevance of programmes such as OUISSAL to German development policy and the importance of cooperation and mutual learning between participating countries. The networking reception also welcomed the Ambassador of Tunisia to Berlin, H.E. Wacef Chiha.

The event opened with remarks from Clara Gruitrooy and Karla Luzette Beteta Brenes, Head of Advisory Services for Latin America, Gender & Diversity at AWE. The program then turned to the experiences of the women participating in OUISSAL. Vanessa Werner, OUISSAL Mentor from Germany, and Sara Samadi, OUISSAL Mentee from Morocco, shared their personal experiences and reflected on the relationships and professional insights they had gained through the program.

A further highlight was the exhibition area, where mentees presented their businesses, products, and services to guests. The showcase allowed participants to communicate their work directly, raise awareness of their businesses, and engage with potential professional contacts and partners. Combined with the reception and buffet dinner, the exhibition created an environment for conversations that extended beyond the formal program and opened up possibilities for future cooperation.

Day 4 – Departure and Conclusion | 7 October 2026

The final day began with breakfast at the delegation hotel, followed by check-out and departure. After four days of shared activities, participants returned home with new experiences, strengthened relationships, and ideas for continuing their engagement with the OUISSAL community.

Overall Assessment and Outlook

The 7th German-Arab Women’s Forum provided a meaningful conclusion to the 6th cohort of OUISSAL. By bringing together participants who had collaborated online throughout the year, the Forum helped translate virtual mentoring relationships into personal connections and created space to recognise the progress made by individual entrepreneurs and Growth Teams.

The combination of peer exchange, cultural activities, professional showcases, and engagement with institutional stakeholders allowed participants to share their achievements while gaining exposure to new perspectives, networks and potential opportunities.

The Forum further strengthened OUISSAL’s visibility among organisations and stakeholders working on gender equality, international cooperation, and women’s economic participation. The participation of BMZ, AWE, FidAR and the Federal Foundation for Gender Equality reflected the importance of cooperation between civil society, public institutions, and the business community in supporting women entrepreneurs and leaders.

Ultimately, the Forum reaffirmed the central idea behind OUISSAL: meaningful professional relationships can develop across national, cultural, and sectoral boundaries when people are given the opportunity to learn from one another and work towards shared goals. The end of the cohort therefore represents not an end to these relationships but an opportunity to build on them. EMA e.V. hopes that the connections established through OUISSAL will continue to generate knowledge exchange, professional collaboration, and new opportunities for the women involved, while contributing to stronger German-Arab cooperation in the years ahead.