On 13-14 February 2026, ArbitralWomen and DIS40 hosted the second edition of the Inclusion Retreat in Darmstadt, Germany. At a time when conversations around diversity, equity, and belonging are more important than ever, the Retreat provided something rare: a setting built on trust, openness, and genuine exchange. ArbitralWomen Advisory Council Member Amanda Lee, and ArbitralWomen Members Sophia Deuchert and Karolina Latasz, spoke or led workshops at the Retreat. ArbitralWomen Secretary Nata Ghibradze represented the ArbitralWomen Board at the event.

Over the course of the two-day event, participants engaged in thoughtful discussions, shared personal experiences, and reflected on how we – as a community – can foster more inclusive practices in international arbitration.

The Inclusion Retreat began with a panel discussion on “Inclusion in the German and Swiss Arbitration Market.” The panel was moderated by ArbitralWomen Member Sophia Deuchert and featured ArbitralWomen Member Sophia Heinrich, Slim Marasco-Keller, and Nikola Nikolic as speakers. The discussion explored the current landscape of inclusion within the arbitration community and highlighted both progress and areas where further efforts are needed.
 
The first day concluded with a networking reception and dinner, offering organisers, speakers, and participants the opportunity to continue the conversation in a more informal setting and to build meaningful connections.
 
On Day 2, participants attended a fireside chat on “Inclusion in Commercial and Investment Arbitration.” The discussion between ArbitralWomen Member Karolina Latasz and Mariana Candido de Oliveira Monteiro was moderated by Tim Dlugosch and provided valuable insights into how inclusion challenges and opportunities manifest in different arbitration contexts.
 
Following the fireside chat, participants took part in two interactive workshops:

• “Privilege is Power”, led by Martha Dudziński
• “Building Resilience”, led by Advisory Board Member Amanda Lee and Lucja Nowak

These workshops encouraged participants to reflect on personal experiences, engage in open dialogue, and develop practical strategies for fostering more inclusive environments.
 
What made this edition special?
✨ Honest and courageous contributions from all participants
✨ A strong sense of mutual respect and trust
✨ Discussions that moved beyond theory and into lived experience
 
ArbitralWomen is proud to continue its important work in promoting diversity and inclusion across the arbitration community and looks forward to further initiatives that strengthen dialogue, understanding, and collaboration.