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[[File:SEKEM-Logo.jpg|thumb|SEKEM-Logo]]

[[File:SEKEM-Logo.jpg|thumb|SEKEM-Logo]]

The organization '''SEKEM''' (Ancient Egyptian: 'vitality from the sun') was founded in 1977 by the [[Egypt]]ian pharmacologist and [[social entrepreneur]] Dr. [[Ibrahim Abouleish]] in order to bring about cultural renewal in [[Egypt]] on a sustainable basis.<ref name="CSR">[http://intranet.csreurope.org/news/csr/one-entry?entry_id=363750 CSR Europe] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225720/http://intranet.csreurope.org/news/csr/one-entry?entry_id=363750 |date=2007-09-27 }}</ref><ref>"Abouleish's objective was to heal Egyptian society from the wounds of the past and to initiate holistic development able to create economic, social and cultural value in a sustainable manner." Seelos, Christian and Mair, Johanna, [http://www.caseplace.org/cases/cases_show.htm?doc_id=321781 "The Sekem Initiative"], IESE Business School case study</ref> Located northeast of [[Cairo]], the organization now includes:<ref name="RLA">[http://www.rightlivelihood.org/recip/2003/sekem.htm Right Livelihood Award] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206173233/http://www.rightlivelihood.org/recip/2003/sekem.htm |date=2007-02-06 }}</ref>

The organization '''SEKEM''' (Ancient Egyptian: 'vitality from the sun') was founded in 1977 by the [[Wikipedia:Egypt|Egypt]]ian pharmacologist and [[Wikipedia:social entrepreneur|social entrepreneur]] Dr. [[Wikipedia:Ibrahim Abouleish|Ibrahim Abouleish]] in order to bring about cultural renewal in [[Wikipedia:Egypt|Egypt]] on a sustainable basis.<ref name="CSR">[http://intranet.csreurope.org/news/csr/one-entry?entry_id=363750 CSR Europe] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225720/http://intranet.csreurope.org/news/csr/one-entry?entry_id=363750 |date=2007-09-27 }}</ref><ref>"Abouleish's objective was to heal Egyptian society from the wounds of the past and to initiate holistic development able to create economic, social and cultural value in a sustainable manner." Seelos, Christian and Mair, Johanna, [http://www.caseplace.org/cases/cases_show.htm?doc_id=321781 "The Sekem Initiative"], IESE Business School case study</ref> Located northeast of [[Wikipedia:Cairo|Cairo]], the organization now includes:<ref name="RLA">[http://www.rightlivelihood.org/recip/2003/sekem.htm Right Livelihood Award] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206173233/http://www.rightlivelihood.org/recip/2003/sekem.htm |date=2007-02-06 }}</ref>

*[[Biodynamic agriculture|biodynamic]] farms;

*[[Wikipedia:Biodynamic agriculture|biodynamic]] farms;

*trading companies for produce and processed foods (Hator and Libra), herbal teas and beauty products (ISIS Organic), medicinal herbs and medicines (ATOS Pharma), and [[organic cotton]] products (NatureTex);

*trading companies for produce and processed foods (Hator and Libra), herbal teas and beauty products (ISIS Organic), medicinal herbs and medicines (ATOS Pharma), and [[Wikipedia:organic cotton|organic cotton]] products (NatureTex);

*a medical center;

*a medical center;

*a school based on the principles of [[Waldorf education|Waldorf pedagogy]] open to pupils from any religious or ethnic background;

*a school based on the principles of [[Wikipedia:Waldorf education|Waldorf pedagogy]] open to pupils from any religious or ethnic background;

*a community school catering specifically to the needs of children from disadvantaged groups;

*a community school catering specifically to the needs of children from disadvantaged groups;

*a nursery

*a nursery

*Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development

*Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development

SEKEM's goals are to "restore and maintain the vitality of the soil and food as well as the biodiversity of nature" through sustainable, [[organic farming|organic agriculture]] and to support social and cultural development in Egypt.<ref name="CSR"/> Revenue from the trading companies grew from 37 million Egyptian pounds in 2000 to 100 million in 2003. By 2005, the organization had established a network of more than 2,000 farmers and numerous partner organizations in Egypt<ref>Christian Seelos and

SEKEM's goals are to "restore and maintain the vitality of the soil and food as well as the biodiversity of nature" through sustainable, [[Wikipedia:organic farming|organic agriculture]] and to support social and cultural development in Egypt.<ref name="CSR"/> Revenue from the trading companies grew from 37 million Egyptian pounds in 2000 to 100 million in 2003. By 2005, the organization had established a network of more than 2,000 farmers and numerous partner organizations in Egypt<ref>Christian Seelos and

Johanna Mair, [http://www.eabis.org/HopeforsustainabledevelopmentResearchpaper_pdf_media_public.aspx Hope for Sustainable Development] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301104813/http://www.eabis.org/HopeforsustainabledevelopmentResearchpaper_pdf_media_public.aspx |date=2007-03-01 }}, pp.2-3</ref> and began increasingly to seek to extend its "experience and acquired knowledge" to other countries, including [[India]], [[State of Palestine|Palestine]], [[Senegal]], [[Turkey]], and - in partnership with the [[Fountain Foundation]] - [[South Africa]].<ref name="RLA"/>

Johanna Mair, [http://www.eabis.org/HopeforsustainabledevelopmentResearchpaper_pdf_media_public.aspx Hope for Sustainable Development] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301104813/http://www.eabis.org/HopeforsustainabledevelopmentResearchpaper_pdf_media_public.aspx |date=2007-03-01 }}, pp.2-3</ref> and began increasingly to seek to extend its "experience and acquired knowledge" to other countries, including [[Wikipedia:India|India]], [[Wikipedia:State of Palestine|Palestine]], [[Wikipedia:Senegal|Senegal]], [[Wikipedia:Turkey|Turkey]], and - in partnership with the [[Fountain Foundation]] - [[Wikipedia:South Africa|South Africa]].<ref name="RLA"/>

==History==

==History==

After a stay of 19 years in [[Austria]], Dr. Abouleish returned to Egypt for a cultural trip in 1975. Touched by the deplorable economic and social situation of his country of origin, he decided to begin a project of cultural renewal on the basis of a synthesis of [[Islam]] and [[anthroposophy]]. Two years later he bought a plot of land in what was, at the time, desert bordering farmland of the Nile valley. The original goal was to develop the land and improve crop yields using biodynamic methods. A thick border of trees was planted to encircle the seventy hectares of land, and trees were planted along all the roads built; a forest was also planted on part of the land. (The initial planting included 120,000 casuarina, eucalyptus and Persian lilac seedlings.) The Bedouins who lived nearby, and sometimes on the land, were brought into the project, given work and helped with their living needs. Buildings were built using traditional adobe; some of these were designed by [[Hassan Fathy]]. The initial farm animals were [[List of water buffalo breeds|Egyptian buffalo]]. The organization sold milk products produced from the buffalo milk and produce from the farm.

After a stay of 19 years in [[Wikipedia:Austria|Austria]], Dr. Abouleish returned to Egypt for a cultural trip in 1975. Touched by the deplorable economic and social situation of his country of origin, he decided to begin a project of cultural renewal on the basis of a synthesis of [[Wikipedia:Islam|Islam]] and [[Wikipedia:anthroposophy|anthroposophy]]. Two years later he bought a plot of land in what was, at the time, desert bordering farmland of the Nile valley. The original goal was to develop the land and improve crop yields using biodynamic methods. A thick border of trees was planted to encircle the seventy hectares of land, and trees were planted along all the roads built; a forest was also planted on part of the land. (The initial planting included 120,000 casuarina, eucalyptus and Persian lilac seedlings.) The Bedouins who lived nearby, and sometimes on the land, were brought into the project, given work and helped with their living needs. Buildings were built using traditional adobe; some of these were designed by [[Wikipedia:Hassan Fathy|Hassan Fathy]]. The initial farm animals were [[Wikipedia:List of water buffalo breeds|Egyptian buffalo]]. The organization sold milk products produced from the buffalo milk and produce from the farm.

The first large economic venture of the community initiative was production of a medicinal compound, [[ammoidin]], an extract of ''[[Ammi majus]]'' (laceflower). The manufacture of herbal teas and a company to market fresh biodynamic produce in Europe followed. The needs of these companies led to many farms throughout Egypt switching to biodynamic methods; the SEKEM organization began an active advisory service to aid these farms in the transition to and the maintenance of biodynamic standards. Sekem leased many of these lands.

The first large economic venture of the community initiative was production of a medicinal compound, [[Wikipedia:ammoidin|ammoidin]], an extract of ''[[Wikipedia:Ammi majus|Ammi majus]]'' (laceflower). The manufacture of herbal teas and a company to market fresh biodynamic produce in Europe followed. The needs of these companies led to many farms throughout Egypt switching to biodynamic methods; the SEKEM organization began an active advisory service to aid these farms in the transition to and the maintenance of biodynamic standards. Sekem leased many of these lands.

Community projects began early in the initiative's history: a medical clinic using [[anthroposophic medicine]], and a Society for Cultural Development sponsoring lectures, concerts and other cultural activities.

Community projects began early in the initiative's history: a medical clinic using [[anthroposophic medicine]], and a Society for Cultural Development sponsoring lectures, concerts and other cultural activities.

In 1987, the center for adult education (Mahad) began its work; children with handicaps are also educated in this center. In 1988, SEKEM opened a kindergarten also open to the local Bedouin community; this grew into the SEKEM school, educating children from kindergarten through twelfth grade (about 18 years of age) on the basis of [[Waldorf education]]. "The school serves Muslim and Christian children alike encouraging them to live in harmony and have respect for the other's religious practices."[http://www.sekem.com/School_n.html] The school also operates a literacy center for illiterate children between ten and fourteen years of age.

In 1987, the center for adult education (Mahad) began its work; children with handicaps are also educated in this center. In 1988, SEKEM opened a kindergarten also open to the local Bedouin community; this grew into the SEKEM school, educating children from kindergarten through twelfth grade (about 18 years of age) on the basis of [[Wikipedia:Waldorf education|Waldorf education]]. "The school serves Muslim and Christian children alike encouraging them to live in harmony and have respect for the other's religious practices."[http://www.sekem.com/School_n.html] The school also operates a literacy center for illiterate children between ten and fourteen years of age.

In response to the use of child labor in Egypt, SEKEM founded the project Chamomile Children, which offers children between ten and fourteen an education, vocational training, meals, and medical care in conjunction with their work; the children's teachers look after the children the whole day. There is also a cooperative for employees to organize the social processes (the Cooperative of SEKEM Employees), an independent organization with members from all the businesses and cultural institutions associated with SEKEM.

In response to the use of child labor in Egypt, SEKEM founded the project Chamomile Children, which offers children between ten and fourteen an education, vocational training, meals, and medical care in conjunction with their work; the children's teachers look after the children the whole day. There is also a cooperative for employees to organize the social processes (the Cooperative of SEKEM Employees), an independent organization with members from all the businesses and cultural institutions associated with SEKEM.

==Social connections==

==Social connections==

All SEKEM companies have a policy of ensuring transparency in the production, distribution and consumption of their goods. They work to ensure fair and secure prices for the farmers supplying them, basing their operations on the principle that the health of the economy depends upon producers, distributors and consumers cooperating to generate stable businesses.<ref name="CSR"/> SEKEM hosts a monthly gathering of all farmers working together with it; about 200 farmers attended these sessions as of 2004. It has created the following [[NGO]]s:<ref name="CSR"/>

All SEKEM companies have a policy of ensuring transparency in the production, distribution and consumption of their goods. They work to ensure fair and secure prices for the farmers supplying them, basing their operations on the principle that the health of the economy depends upon producers, distributors and consumers cooperating to generate stable businesses.<ref name="CSR"/> SEKEM hosts a monthly gathering of all farmers working together with it; about 200 farmers attended these sessions as of 2004. It has created the following [[Wikipedia:NGO|NGO]]s:<ref name="CSR"/>

* A ''Cooperative of SEKEM Employees'' that works to ensure equality, equity and dignity for all employees. In particular, the cooperative supports employee training, career development and health care provisions. Ten percent of SEKEM employees' working time is available for professional and personal development through social and cultural enrichment activities.<ref name=UNGC/>

* A ''Cooperative of SEKEM Employees'' that works to ensure equality, equity and dignity for all employees. In particular, the cooperative supports employee training, career development and health care provisions. Ten percent of SEKEM employees' working time is available for professional and personal development through social and cultural enrichment activities.<ref name=UNGC/>

* The ''SEKEM Developmental Foundation'', with the goal of raising the quality of people's lives and supporting cultural and economic development in Egypt. The foundation provides education and literacy support for surrounding communities as well as programs for children with special needs. This includes a kindergarten, a "co-educational school with pupils from a diversity of cultural and social backgrounds, Muslim and Christian children learning together in a community where respect for all differences of gender, religion, class and ethnicity is cultivated", special education facilities and vocational trainings.<ref name=UNGC>[http://www.unglobalcompact.org%2Fsystem%2Fattachments%2F4124%2Foriginal%2FCOP.pdf%3F1262614948&ei=aFtRTPjNK8H48AaQ1ZHmBA&usg=AFQjCNFzcXgvIPfqcBK8pzH2-R76711VBA&sig2=54wED8bbtrcaVfdoMWesQw UN Global Compact report]</ref>

* The ''SEKEM Developmental Foundation'', with the goal of raising the quality of people's lives and supporting cultural and economic development in Egypt. The foundation provides education and literacy support for surrounding communities as well as programs for children with special needs. This includes a kindergarten, a "co-educational school with pupils from a diversity of cultural and social backgrounds, Muslim and Christian children learning together in a community where respect for all differences of gender, religion, class and ethnicity is cultivated", special education facilities and vocational trainings.<ref name=UNGC>[http://www.unglobalcompact.org%2Fsystem%2Fattachments%2F4124%2Foriginal%2FCOP.pdf%3F1262614948&ei=aFtRTPjNK8H48AaQ1ZHmBA&usg=AFQjCNFzcXgvIPfqcBK8pzH2-R76711VBA&sig2=54wED8bbtrcaVfdoMWesQw UN Global Compact report]</ref>

* An adult education center, ''MAHAD'', that offers professional trainings as well as continuing education programs in a variety of areas.<ref name=UNGC/>

* An adult education center, ''MAHAD'', that offers professional trainings as well as continuing education programs in a variety of areas.<ref name=UNGC/>

* The ''Egyptian Biodynamic Association'', established in 1990 as a research and training center in [[biodynamic agriculture|biodynamic]] methods. Approximately 800 farmers are now farming biodynamically in Egypt.<ref name="RLA"/>

* The ''Egyptian Biodynamic Association'', established in 1990 as a research and training center in [[Wikipedia:biodynamic agriculture|biodynamic]] methods. Approximately 800 farmers are now farming biodynamically in Egypt.<ref name="RLA"/>

SEKEM and Dr. [[Ibrahim Abouleish]] received the [[Right Livelihood Award]] in 2003 for integrating the commercial success with promotion of the social and cultural development of society.<ref>[http://www.rightlivelihood.org/recip.htm ''Right Livelihood'' organization] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060715035256/http://www.rightlivelihood.org/recip.htm |date=2006-07-15 }}</ref> The organization has been cited as a successful example of [[social entrepreneurship]] that has had a significant impact on Egyptian society both through its influence on the country's agricultural practices and through its educational and cultural institutions.<ref>Mair and Marti, [https://web.archive.org/web/20060822105932/http://www.usasbe.org/data/Documents/mair%20and%20marti.pdf "Social entrepreneurship research: A source of explanation, prediction, and delight"], Journal of World Business 41 (2006) p. 38</ref><ref>[http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/ibrahim_abouleish.html World Future Council] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630190308/http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/ibrahim_abouleish.html |date=2007-06-30 }}</ref>

SEKEM and Dr. [[Wikipedia:Ibrahim Abouleish|Ibrahim Abouleish]] received the [[Wikipedia:Right Livelihood Award|Right Livelihood Award]] in 2003 for integrating the commercial success with promotion of the social and cultural development of society.<ref>[http://www.rightlivelihood.org/recip.htm ''Right Livelihood'' organization] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060715035256/http://www.rightlivelihood.org/recip.htm |date=2006-07-15 }}</ref> The organization has been cited as a successful example of [[Wikipedia:social entrepreneurship|social entrepreneurship]] that has had a significant impact on Egyptian society both through its influence on the country's agricultural practices and through its educational and cultural institutions.<ref>Mair and Marti, [https://web.archive.org/web/20060822105932/http://www.usasbe.org/data/Documents/mair%20and%20marti.pdf "Social entrepreneurship research: A source of explanation, prediction, and delight"], Journal of World Business 41 (2006) p. 38</ref><ref>[http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/ibrahim_abouleish.html World Future Council] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630190308/http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/ibrahim_abouleish.html |date=2007-06-30 }}</ref>

Furthermore, Dr. [[Ibrahim Abouleish]] and his Son Helmy were named Social Entrepreneurs of the year 2003 by the [[Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship]], and Well known business schools like [[IESE]] and [[CIDA City Campus]] use various case studies (e.g. Harvard Business Press <ref name="Harvard Business Press">[http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/b02/en/common/item_detail.jhtml;jsessionid=5CJSMGABUPTF2AKRGWDR5VQBKE0YIISW?id=IES129&referral=2341 Case Study published by Harvard Business School Publishing]</ref><ref name="The Power of Unreasonable People">[http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/51/in-praise-of-unreasonable-people The Power of Unreasonable People (Harvard Business School Press, 2008)]</ref> to illustrate this novel approach to sustainable social entrepreneurship. Recent visitors included the first lady of Egypt, [[Suzanne Mubarak]], a group from the [[Fulbright Commission]] in Egypt,<ref name="Fulbright Commission in Egypt">[http://www.fulbright-egypt.org/highlights/highlightslist.asp#b171 Fulbright Commission in Egypt] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222183955/http://www.fulbright-egypt.org/highlights/highlightslist.asp |date=2008-12-22 }}</ref> the former Federal Minister of the Interior of [[Germany]], [[Otto Schily]] and the founder of the [[Witten/Herdecke University]] Dr. [[Konrad Schily]] (a former member of the German [[Bundestag]]).

Furthermore, Dr. [[Wikipedia:Ibrahim Abouleish|Ibrahim Abouleish]] and his Son Helmy were named Social Entrepreneurs of the year 2003 by the [[Wikipedia:Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship|Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship]], and Well known business schools like [[Wikipedia:IESE|IESE]] and [[Wikipedia:CIDA City Campus|CIDA City Campus]] use various case studies (e.g. Harvard Business Press <ref name="Harvard Business Press">[http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/b02/en/common/item_detail.jhtml;jsessionid=5CJSMGABUPTF2AKRGWDR5VQBKE0YIISW?id=IES129&referral=2341 Case Study published by Harvard Business School Publishing]</ref><ref name="The Power of Unreasonable People">[http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/51/in-praise-of-unreasonable-people The Power of Unreasonable People (Harvard Business School Press, 2008)]</ref> to illustrate this novel approach to sustainable social entrepreneurship. Recent visitors included the first lady of Egypt, [[Wikipedia:Suzanne Mubarak|Suzanne Mubarak]], a group from the [[Wikipedia:Fulbright Commission|Fulbright Commission]] in Egypt,<ref name="Fulbright Commission in Egypt">[http://www.fulbright-egypt.org/highlights/highlightslist.asp#b171 Fulbright Commission in Egypt] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222183955/http://www.fulbright-egypt.org/highlights/highlightslist.asp |date=2008-12-22 }}</ref> the former Federal Minister of the Interior of [[Wikipedia:Germany|Germany]], [[Wikipedia:Otto Schily|Otto Schily]] and the founder of the [[Wikipedia:Witten/Herdecke University|Witten/Herdecke University]] Dr. [[Wikipedia:Konrad Schily|Konrad Schily]] (a former member of the German [[Wikipedia:Bundestag|Bundestag]]).

==Motto==

==Motto==

== See also ==

== See also ==

* [[Organic cotton]]

* [[Wikipedia:Organic cotton|Organic cotton]]

==References==

==References==