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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 [[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>

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>

*[[Wikipedia: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 [[Wikipedia:organic cotton|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);

*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, [[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

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 [[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"/>

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==

In 1990, SEKEM founded the [[Centre of Organic Agriculture in Egypt]] (COAE), an independent organization that inspects organic farms in Egypt, Iran and Sudan.

In 1990, SEKEM founded the [[Centre of Organic Agriculture in Egypt]] (COAE), an independent organization that inspects organic farms in Egypt, Iran and Sudan.

Faced with pesticide residues in their products that came from aerial spraying on nearby farms, SEKEM took up an initiative to eliminate such spraying in Egypt. As cotton production depended upon the sprays, SEKEM explored organic cotton production on initially small fields. The experiments were successful and yields actually were better than non-organic production achieved. The Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture sponsored further and more extensive tests. Within three years, the ministry agreed that organic pest suppression was superior for cotton farming and began converting the entire area of Egyptian cotton, 4,000 square kilometres, to organic methods for controlling pests; the conversion took two years. The conversion resulted in a reduction in the use of synthetic pesticides in Egypt by over 90% and an increase in the average yield of raw cotton of almost 30%.<ref name="CSR"/> SEKEM then created a company to process organic cotton using mechanical rather than chemical methods, NatureTex.

Faced with pesticide residues in their products that came from aerial spraying on nearby farms, SEKEM took up an initiative to eliminate such spraying in Egypt. As cotton production depended upon the sprays, SEKEM explored organic cotton production on initially small fields. The experiments were successful and yields actually were better than non-organic production achieved. The Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture sponsored further and more extensive tests. Within three years, the ministry agreed that organic pest suppression was superior for cotton farming and began converting the entire area of Egyptian cotton, 4,000 square kilometres, to organic methods for controlling pests; the conversion took two years. The conversion resulted in a reduction in the use of synthetic pesticides in Egypt by over 90% and an increase in the average yield of raw cotton of almost 30%.<ref name="CSR" /> SEKEM then created a company to process organic cotton using mechanical rather than chemical methods, NatureTex.

In response to increasing publicity about the novel methods employed by the community in many realms, the association of Muslim sheiks in Egypt gave the community a plaque verifying that SEKEM is an Islamic initiative. This was the result of intensive meetings between SEKEM and Muslim religious leaders.

In response to increasing publicity about the novel methods employed by the community in many realms, the association of Muslim sheiks in Egypt gave the community a plaque verifying that SEKEM is an Islamic initiative. This was the result of intensive meetings between SEKEM and Muslim religious leaders.

==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 [[Wikipedia:NGO|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/>

 

* 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>

*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" />

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

*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 [[Wikipedia:biodynamic agriculture|biodynamic]] methods. Approximately 800 farmers are now farming biodynamically in Egypt.<ref name="RLA" />

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>

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>

==Motto==

==Motto==

Yearly seminars to reflect on the aims and goals of SEKEM have evolved the following motto:

Yearly seminars to reflect on the aims and goals of SEKEM have evolved the following motto:

:We aim towards living together according to social forms which reflect human dignity and further development, striving towards higher ideals. Our main goal is a developmental impulse for people, society and the earth. SEKEM wants to contribute to the comprehensive development of people, society and the earth, inspired by higher ideals. The cooperation of economic, social and cultural activities is stimulated by science, art and religion.

:We aim towards living together according to social forms which reflect human dignity and further development, striving towards higher ideals. Our main goal is a developmental impulse for people, society and the earth. SEKEM wants to contribute to the comprehensive development of people, society and the earth, inspired by higher ideals. The cooperation of economic, social and cultural activities is stimulated by science, art and religion.

:SEKEM has set itself the following goals for the economic sphere:

:SEKEM has set itself the following goals for the economic sphere:

:*Marketing in associative cooperation between farmers, producers, traders and consumers.

:*Marketing in associative cooperation between farmers, producers, traders and consumers.

:We aim to advance the individual development of the person through the cultural institutions. Education towards freedom is the goal of Sekem's educational institutions for children, adolescents and adults. Health care and therapies using natural healing remedies are provided by SEKEM. The SEKEM Academy for Applied Arts and Sciences researches and teaches solutions to pertinent questions from all areas of life.

:We aim to advance the individual development of the person through the cultural institutions. Education towards freedom is the goal of Sekem's educational institutions for children, adolescents and adults. Health care and therapies using natural healing remedies are provided by SEKEM. The SEKEM Academy for Applied Arts and Sciences researches and teaches solutions to pertinent questions from all areas of life.

:Socially, SEKEM furthers a community of people from all over the world who recognize the dignity of the individual, enabling both learning to work and working to learn, and providing equal rights to all.<ref name="Abouleish"/>

:Socially, SEKEM furthers a community of people from all over the world who recognize the dignity of the individual, enabling both learning to work and working to learn, and providing equal rights to all.<ref name="Abouleish" />

== See also ==

==See also==

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

 

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

==References==

==References==

==Books and articles about SEKEM==

==Books and articles about SEKEM==

*Abouleish, Ibrahim, ''SEKEM: A Sustainable Community in the Egyptian Desert'', {{ISBN|0-86315-532-4}}

*Abouleish, Ibrahim, ''SEKEM: A Sustainable Community in the Egyptian Desert'', {{ISBN|0-86315-532-4}}

* "Respecting Human Nature" [http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/1999/434/feat2.htm Al-Ahram Weekly]

*"Respecting Human Nature" [http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/1999/434/feat2.htm Al-Ahram Weekly]

* "Mephisto in Elysium" [http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2006/786/cu5.htm Al-Ahram Weekly]

*"Mephisto in Elysium" [http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2006/786/cu5.htm Al-Ahram Weekly]

* "Ibrahim Abouleish: Vision of Vitality, Engineering a Social Renaissance" [http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/681/profile.htm Al-Ahram Weekly]

*"Ibrahim Abouleish: Vision of Vitality, Engineering a Social Renaissance" [http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/681/profile.htm Al-Ahram Weekly]

* Visscher, Marcus, [https://web.archive.org/web/20090218051411/http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/18/miracle_in_the_desert/ "Miracle in the desert"], ''Ode'', November 2004

*Visscher, Marcus, [https://web.archive.org/web/20090218051411/http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/18/miracle_in_the_desert/ "Miracle in the desert"], ''Ode'', November 2004

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110525054740/http://archnet.org/file-storage/download/2005_diploma.pdf?inode=119455 Plans for SEKEM University]

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110525054740/http://archnet.org/file-storage/download/2005_diploma.pdf?inode=119455 Plans for SEKEM University]

* Mair, Johanna; Schoen, Oliver; "Successful social entrepreneurial business models in the context of developing economies: An explorative study", ''International Journal of Emerging Markets'', Volume 2, Number 1, 2007, pp.&nbsp;54–68(15).

*Mair, Johanna; Schoen, Oliver; "Successful social entrepreneurial business models in the context of developing economies: An explorative study", ''International Journal of Emerging Markets'', Volume 2, Number 1, 2007, pp.&nbsp;54–68(15).

* Mair, Johanna; Seelos, Christian; 2004 "The SEKEM Initiative"  [http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/b02/en/common/item_detail.jhtml;jsessionid=5CJSMGABUPTF2AKRGWDR5VQBKE0YIISW?id=IES129&referral=2341 Case Study - Harvard Business School Publishing]

*Mair, Johanna; Seelos, Christian; 2004 "The SEKEM Initiative"  [http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/b02/en/common/item_detail.jhtml;jsessionid=5CJSMGABUPTF2AKRGWDR5VQBKE0YIISW?id=IES129&referral=2341 Case Study - Harvard Business School Publishing]

* Elkington,John; Hartigan, Pamela; Power of Unreasonable People: How Social Entrepreneurs Create Markets that Change the World [http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/b01/en/common/item_detail.jhtml;jsessionid=ZFYD0J5H0DFS0AKRGWDR5VQBKE0YIISW?id=4060&referral=2340 HBS Press Book, 2008]

*Elkington,John; Hartigan, Pamela; Power of Unreasonable People: How Social Entrepreneurs Create Markets that Change the World [http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/b01/en/common/item_detail.jhtml;jsessionid=ZFYD0J5H0DFS0AKRGWDR5VQBKE0YIISW?id=4060&referral=2340 HBS Press Book, 2008]

* Amira El Ahl "Wie kommt die Eurythmie in die Wüste?" Spiegel (News Magazine) [http://www.spiegel.de/schulspiegel/ausland/0,1518,541626,00.html in German]

*Amira El Ahl "Wie kommt die Eurythmie in die Wüste?" Spiegel (News Magazine) [http://www.spiegel.de/schulspiegel/ausland/0,1518,541626,00.html in German]

* UN Global Compact: SEKEM Corporate Responsibility [http://www.unglobalcompact.org/system/attachments/4124/original/COP.pdf?1262614948]

*UN Global Compact: SEKEM Corporate Responsibility [http://www.unglobalcompact.org/system/attachments/4124/original/COP.pdf?1262614948]

== External links ==

==External links==

* {{Official website|http://www.sekem.com}}

 

* [http://miscellaneous-sonstiges.blogspot.com/2009/08/ibrahim-abouleish-visionary.html blog about a German TV documentary]

*{{Official website|http://www.sekem.com}}

* [http://www.sekem-reisen.de Visit SEKEM] {{in lang|de}}

*[http://miscellaneous-sonstiges.blogspot.com/2009/08/ibrahim-abouleish-visionary.html blog about a German TV documentary]

*[http://www.sekem-reisen.de Visit SEKEM] {{in lang|de}}

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[[Category:1977 establishments in Egypt]]

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