Cairo, 23 May 2017 - IOM Egypt and the American University in Cairo (AUC)’s Center for Refugee and Migration Studies (CMRS) hosted the Graduation Ceremony for the Certificate on Migration Governance.

Twenty-four representatives of 12 government and non-government institutions working on migration had successfully completed the seven-module certificate that covered the following subjects: migration governance; international migration law; migration and development; labour migration and human mobility; trafficking and smuggling; immigration and border management; and migration in crisis situations.

“Thanks to the unique combination of teaching methods, beneficiaries were equipped with theoretical, practical and evidence-based information on migration by renowned experts in the respective fields, which will help them to devise sound migration policies that would support Egypt in addressing the challenges and opportunities that migration presents,” said Mr Amr Taha, IOM Egypt Head of Office.

Opening remarks were delivered by a number of speakers during the event, which took place at the AUC Tahrir Campus on Monday 22 May 2017. Representing CMRS, Dr Ibrahim Awad, the center’s director commended the cooperation with IOM Egypt and reiterated the importance in advancing migration and development.

In addition to Mr Taha, Ms Jill Helke. Director of International Cooperation and Partnerships, Mr Hassan Abdel Moneim Mostafa, Senior Regional Adviser for North Africa and the Middle East, and Ms Sophie Nonnemacher, Senior Regional Policy and Liaison Officer, represented IOM. Donor agencies were represented by Ms Kristina Bund, Head of Section at the European Union Delegation to Egypt, Mr Joseph Whittle, First Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Egypt, and Dr Felice Longobardi, Head of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation who also underscored the importance of this initiative.

“Governments and policies are not the only factors in migration issues. Individuals, CSOs, international organizations, private sector and migrants are all participants in migration governance to a greater or lesser extent so the importance of consultation, communication and listening to people is very important,” explained Helke who underscored the importance and relevance of the Migration Governance Framework in guiding governments of member states to more effectively address the challenges and opportunities arising from migration.

"The difference between now and five years ago regarding the focus on the migration agenda is enormous so this course between IOM and AUC is very timely. Sometimes, there is a gap between the academic world and the practical world which this course bridges," stated Mr Whittle.

As an integral component of this initiative, graduates presented their vision of how the Government of Egypt can maximise the benefits of migration through presentations detailing a sample initiative illustrating the link between migration and development applying a whole-of-government approach, whereby participants identified key areas on how their respective institutions can collaborate together to achieve this vision.

The first-time learning programme, jointly launched with CMRS in November 2016, was made possible with the generous contributions of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and the European Union.

The second edition is foreseen to commence in September with the participation of an additional six ministries to those already represented in the first edition.

For further information, please contact Ms Greta Ellero, at IOM Egypt, Tel: +20 2273 65140, Email: iomegypt@iom.int