On 11 & 12 May, UNHCR in cooperation with The National Center for Judicial Studies conducted a two days’ workshop in Alexandria for 23 Egyptian judges and prosecutors from different governorates about International Protection of Refugees: Current Protection Gaps and Challenges. The purpose of this workshop is to identify gaps and challenges that face UNHCR and the government to find ways to overcome them in order to improve the assistance offered to refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt.

UNHCR attended a ceremony honouring the creative expatriate students for the school year 2015/2016, which was organized by the Central Administration Central Services and supported by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNICEF and UNHCR. The students exhibited works of art, paintings and scientific inventions that impressed all the attendance, and offered a musical show with poetry and chants in different languages.

During the celebration of the World Cultural Diversity Day on 22 May at the Small Theatre at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Syrian artist Bassem Al Attar and Al Reyada NGO theatre groups presented two short plays portraying the stories of Syrians’ journey to Egypt and their integration in the society, marked with very special clown sketches that brought laughter and joy to the audience. The theatre and music event, which was attended by 350 persons, was organized by UNHCR, UNICEF and the Depository Library at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

The Centre for Democracy and Social Peace Studies (CDSPS) in Alexandria conducted an introductory workshop on Non-violent Communication on the 30th of May. 15 Syrian refugees attended the workshop. The introductory workshop introduced the participants to the concepts of non-violent communication which includes peaceful interaction, critical thinking, conflict resolution, negotiation, anger management, social skills, etc.

On 24 May, an empowerment project for Syrian refugee women started at Agamy Community Centre in Alexandria. The project aims at teaching refugee women new sewing skills and techniques enabling them to make products at home (Bags, cushions,…etc). The project is organized by UNHCR, Agora Arts Culture Centre and Caritas.

A Nonviolent Communication introductory workshop was held on 30 May in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina by the Centre for Democracy and Social Peace Studies (CDS) with the support of the New York Centre for Nonviolent Communication. Upon the request and assessment needs of participants during the introductory workshop, a 3 day workshop was conducted by the New York Centre for Non-Violent Communication on 19 July at the Jesuit Cultural Centre. 24 Syrians attended the workshop

Over 3000 toys were wrapped with Marwa Fayed's Toy Run and MBC Hope at the Wrap a Toy evening, on July 2, 2016. The event was dedicated to bringing some joy and toys to vulnerable children living in Egypt over the upcoming Eid. The wrapped toy gifts are to be donated to young refugee children living in Egypt through UNHCR Egypt and underprivileged children with support from the Egyptian Food Bank .

UNHCR in collaboration with the National Centre for Judicial Studies organized a 2 day workshop back to back on 4-7 September in Alexandria for 80 judges and and public prosecutors working in Alexandria and Kafr El Sheikh. The workshops titled “International Protection of Refugees: Current Protection Gaps and Challenges” aimed to raise awareness about the principles of international protection, non-refoulement, rights and obligations of asylum seekers and refugees in the country of asylum. It also highlighted the role of the judiciary system to protect asylum seekers and refugees in Egypt and brain storm on current protection measures to bridge the gaps. These two workshops are the fifth in a series of workshops organized with the Egyptian Ministry of Justice in 2016.

NilFurat Project has started its second phase in 2016. The project focuses on empowering refugee and host community women through engaging master craftswomen and design specialists to bring about remodelled products. The second phase of the project is working on fostering opportunities for a sustainable and ongoing production of the NilFurat products, and on empowering participant women on different levels as per their needs. The project is paving the way to set up a business model and a sustainable framework for working with the women.

On 25 August, the Ministry of Social Solidarity held its annual ceremony to celebrate its yearly achievements by organizing an arts and crafts exhibition for the production of NGOs in Alexandria. The day also celebrated and honoured the youth who excelled in cultural and sports activities organized by the ministry during the year. UNHCR participated with the cooperation of its partner Caritas with six tables of Syrian and Egyptian handmade accessories, leather bags, wood crafts and food products.