AIWF is delighted to announce its continued partnership with the German-Arab Women Business Leaders Summit to be held on 15-17 October 2018 in Munich, Germany. The conference, themed ‘When Women Lean In, Economies Win’, will explore strategies to empower women economically in recognition of the major potential for women-led economic growth in both Germany and the MENA States. It will provide all participants, leading business women from Germany and the Arab world, with valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, experiences and perspectives to further strategic German‐Arab business relations and boost economic ties between the two regions. The conference will be held under the Patronage of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and is organised by Dr Gabi Kratochwil, Founder & Managing Director of CrossCultures Network, in cooperation with Ghorfa Arab‐German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and partners.
AIWF’s valued links with the German-Arab Women Business Leaders Summit and Dr Kratochwil originate from AIWF’s longstanding partnership with Ghorfa, the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry based in Berlin. In full partnership with Ghorfa, AIWF hosted its first ever conference in Germany in October 2013 in the heart of Berlin and the business community, titled ‘From Partnership to Prosperity: Women in the Arab World, Germany & the International Community’, under the valued Patronage of His Excellency Mr Klaus Wowereit, Governing Mayor of Berlin. The conference, which followed a series of major global conferences for AIWF building on key themes from one conference to the next and alternating between Arab and international capital cities, was a key initiative for both AIWF and Ghorfa, fostering an environment for successful women business leaders from the Arab world to enhance business growth and create new links for innovation and intercultural collaboration, objectives that lie at the very heart of the AIWF mission. The conference was a major success for all stakeholders as it strengthened existing channels of partnership between the Arab world and Germany, the creation of new avenues for entrepreneurial activity and investment between accomplished women representing Europe and the Middle East.
AIWF’s partnership of the October 2018 edition of the German-Arab Women Business Leaders Summit is an excellent opportunity for AIWF to follow up on its commitments to support valuable trade links between Germany and the Arab world. The conference will bring together an exclusive gathering of high‐ranking women from the business and academic communities as well as Ghorfa partners and members from diplomacy and government, international civil society and heads of leading business institutions. The GABWL‐Summit offers a unique and exciting opportunity to engage with inspiring speakers, to network and share best practice with experts and decision‐makers so to devise innovative strategies and to further identify business opportunities.
Keynote Speakers will include Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani (Founder & Chairman, Arab International Women’s Forum and Fellow, Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative); HE Dr Shaikha Al Maskari (CEO Maskari Holding, Forbes List, 2016 Asia‐Pacific Woman Entrepreneur of the Year and AIWF Board Member); Janina Kugel (Chief Human Resources Officer and Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG), and Petra Justenhoven (Member of the Managing Board PwC and Manager of the Year 2017).
The conference will be attended by more than 400 participants and representatives from partnering organisations, including the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), UNIDO, GIZ, Diversity Charter, Association of German Women Entrepreneurs (VdU), Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF), Arab League and Union of Arab Chambers. During the GABWL‐Summit, the Ta’awun: German‐Arab Women Cooperation of Excellence Award will be presented. This award honours joint German‐Arab women’s cooperation projects by recognising women who play a distinct role in establishing partnerships and connections of excellence between Germany and the Arab countries. Under the motto ‘Celebrate & Share’ the GAWBL‐ Charity Gala serves to raise funding for a charitable cause chosen by participants.
