Beirut, May 20, 2025 – In a moment defined by complexity, transition, and potential, the Arab Open University – Lebanon convened leaders from across the public sector, academia, civil society, and industry for its annual national conference: 
“Innovate to Rebuild: Fostering Growth Through Policy, Inclusion, and Entrepreneurship.” 

Held at Mövenpick Hotel in Beirut, the event offered a high-level platform for confronting Lebanon’s most pressing development challenges and proposing forward-looking, knowledge-driven solutions rooted in resilience, equity, and innovation. 

In her opening remarks, Dr. Yara Abdallah, Rector of AOU Lebanon, positioned the university as a national convener of ideas and action. 
“Lebanon’s recovery requires more than reform, it requires platforms that bring together purpose, capability, and civic vision.” 

Though unable to attend in person, MP Elias Hankash addressed the audience via video, urging Lebanon to stop exporting its youth and start exporting innovation. 

“We have the talent, the vision, and the ambition. What we need are ecosystems that allow our young people to build futures here.” 

His vision for Lebanon as a regional hub for digital innovation echoed throughout the day’s discussions. 

The first session, “The Intersection of Policy, Innovation & Partnerships for a Resilient Economy,” was moderated by economic journalist Antoine Saadeh and challenged participants to rethink Lebanon’s economic foundation. 

Dr. Mohamad Abou Haidar, Director General at the Ministry of Economy, described the collapse of Lebanon’s import-heavy economy as the unveiling of a “masked reality.” The crisis, he explained, revealed the urgent need to redefine the national business model around productivity and self-reliance. 

Mrs. Carmen Nohra, an expert in economic diplomacy and public-private partnerships, highlighted the need to rebuild institutional trust through public-private partnerships that are strategic and accountable. International donors, she noted, have not lost faith in Lebanon’s private sector, and that trust must be reinforced through policy clarity and operational transparency. 

Mrs. Sabine Oueiss, political and economic journalist at An-Nahar, drew attention to a shift in national discourse: “For the first time, we’re talking about the future instead of the past. That mindset shift is a turning point.” 

She called for a comprehensive revamp of outdated economic tools, grounded in innovation and political reform. 

Mr. Rudy Shoushany, entrepreneur and strategist in digital governance, brought in the technological lens, advocating for immediate investment in AI, digital governance, and policy automation. Lebanon, he argued, is ready for a “leapfrog moment” if it commits to retaining and activating its tech talent. 

Together, the session painted a picture of an economy in transition: one that must be designed rather than restored. 

Moderated by Mrs. Randa Yassir, business development expert, the second session, “Women in Business: Breaking Barriers and Driving Change,” reframed gender equity as essential economic infrastructure. 

Dr. Samar Aad, researcher at LAU, raised a critical concern about algorithmic bias in artificial intelligence, where data often reflects the patriarchal structures of society. Her call to action: ensure that inclusion extends to the systems we are building, not just the policies we are writing. 

Lawyer Lara Saadeh, Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Justice, highlighted structural and legal obstacles to women’s leadership in Lebanon, proposing a model where incentive and not only mandates can help institutionalize equity.  She urged private sector actors to lead where legislation may lag. 

Mrs. Noura Al Merhabi, innovator and TechWomen mentee at Silicon Valley, emphasized the need to nurture empowerment at the source, within families, early education, and community networks, rather than waiting on top-down change. 

Mrs. Corine Kiame, President of the Lebanese League for Women in Business, warned of the disconnect between educational parity and workforce exclusion. 
“We’ve achieved near-equal access to education, but not to opportunity. The motherhood penalty, sectoral bias, and access to funding remain systemic barriers.” 

This session underlined a clear message: inclusive development is foundational to any meaningful recovery. 

The final session, “The Role of Business Support Organizations in Supporting Entrepreneurs,” explored how Lebanon can foster entrepreneurship not as a side economy, but as a central pillar of national recovery. 

Dr. Khaled Al Omari, Director of QCC-LABS & IDRAC Center, talked about a comprehensive “4x4 strategy” for integrating academia, industrial labs, and innovation hubs with market demands. He emphasized that entrepreneurial thinking must be embedded into national infrastructure, not left to individual effort. 

Mrs. Ola Hariri, Program Manager at the Lebanese Microfinance Association, focused on sustainable financial support, warning against short-term lending models and emphasizing the need for structured grants, mentorship, and follow-up mechanisms. 

Eng. Aseel Honein, tech entrepreneur and innovation consultant, spoke of the persistent gap between education and application, particularly for women in STEM, and called for more hands-on training environments that connect students to real-world systems. 

Dr. Sarah Sidani, Head of AOU’s Entrepreneurship Center, underlined the cultural transformation needed to build entrepreneurial resilience. 
“We must cultivate a mindset of entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and leadership.” 

The session affirmed that entrepreneurship is a core strategy for inclusive, sustainable, and youth-led development.