SEKEM The enthusiasm for my work, the boundless love which fills my heart for all around me, brings forth a vision of the community: A community in which people of all nations and cultures work and learn in peace, and resonate together in harmony as a symphony; a community in which vocations from all walks of life, from all age groups, from all levels of consciousness, acknowledge, nurture and love the divine world and strive towards noble ideals; a living, ever regenerating community maintaining its dynamism by reaching towards the science of the spirit, the Ightihad; a community pursuing truth and tolerance, generously offering its understanding in the service of earth and man; a people where modesty and diligence prevail over vanity and comfort, and all endeavours are blessed. Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish
AN EGYPTIAN INITIATIVE SEKEM was established 1977 by Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish, in the north east desert of Egypt. The name SEKEM is the transliteration of a hieroglyph, meaning vitality .
Cairo
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The SEKEM initiative with its many areas of activity was founded to realise the vision of sustainable development. SEKEM aims to contribute to the comprehensive development of the individual, society and environment. Cooperation in economic, social and cultural endeavours is cultivated through dedication to the pursuit of science, art and religion.
SEKEM
OBJECTIVES In its business enterprises, SEKEM GROUP strives to accomplish the following objectives: Curing the environment through the application of biodynamic agriculture methods Developing solutions, providing services and manufacturing a variety of products, that meet the consumers true needs and conform to the highest quality standards Marketing and distributing products in partnership with farmers, producers, vendors and consumers.
For all social endeavours, the Cooperative of SEKEM Employees (CSE) forms a community of people, from all over the world, who: Appreciate dignity of each human being Teach democracy and governance Create the foundations of healthy living In the cultural domain, the development of the individual is strengthened by the Sekem Development Foundation (SDF) through: Education for children, youth and adults, provided in several centres for learning, to promote free and sound thinking and artistic expressions
Health care and therapy using holistic medicine are available through the medical centre and community outreach programmes Research and development to provide solutions for pressing questions dealing with various aspects of life, are conducted and taught by the SEKEM Academy for Applied Arts and Sciences The Abouleish Foundation is holding the family capital of SEKEM. The foundation council is the safe guard of SEKEM`s vision to ensure the future sustainability of all SEKEM activities.
SEKEM HOLDING The SEKEM Holding has established departments for finance to provide the required funds for long term investments as well as for IT to manage the network and the different Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) applications. The business development department coordinates the different development projects. Public Relations Department and Human Resources Department are providing the companies with services. The Quality Management Department with responsibilities for the development and maintenance of the quality management systems,
SEKEM Holding guarantees the commitment to: implement SEKEMÂ’s vision of sustainable development realise the benefits of biodynamic agriculture optimize the utilization of financial and other resources Managing Director Helmy Abouleish enables the SEKEM Group to perform at the highest possible level, and to introduce the concepts of continuous improvement, the learning organisation and Total Quality Management.
develop and optimize the organisational structures invest in education and training for all employees and ensure social and cultural development maintain the highest quality of products and services with continuous improvement assure continuous realignment to the real needs of the consumers apply market approaches that are humane, ethics-oriented, truthful, reasoned and aligned with our vision and values work with associative principles in the value-added chain cooperate with governments, NGOs and partners protect SEKEM Holding, its subsidiaries and employees through provision of a legal framework under Egyptian law
ATOS
PHYTOPHARMACEUTICALS
Research and development, including the concept and design of new medications, clinical trials, the preparation of training manuals, and the continuous improvement of all products are outsourced to the SEKEM Academy for Applied Arts and Science, where a multidisciplinary team of researchers and scientists from the fields of medicine, pharmacy and agriculture collaborate closely, to provide modern solutions. ATOS Pharma markets and distributes its products nationally and internationally. ATOS Pharma manufactures and markets an array of natural medicines and health care products of superior quality for effective causal treatment combined with maximum tolerability. The products are developed for different indications in Cancer therapy, Cardiolovascular, Dermatology, GastroIntestinal, Gynaecology, Hepato-Biliary, Immunology, Neuropsychiatry, Respiratory, Rheumatology and Urology.
Healing has from the outset been one of the great driving forces and goals of SEKEM To ensure the highest quality of all products from ATOS Pharma, we adhere to: Stringent criteria are applied during the selection of raw materials with the use of biodynamically grown herbs, plants and natural ingredients only. The outstanding efficacy tolerability and therapeutic effects of the products are maintained by strict adherence to a comprehensive set of guidelines and rigorous quality controls as well as the implementation of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The production processes comply with national and international regulations that conform ISO 9001standards.
Isis produces wholesome nutritious, tasty and healthy food, from carefully selected raw materials, free of any artificial additives or preservatives. The foodstuff processed and packed by ISIS includes organic grown cereals, rice, vegetables, pasta, honey, jams, dates, spices, herbs, edible oils, beverages as herbal teas, coffee and juices.
ISIS
ORGANIC FOODS In order to ensure the best quality and freshness of the products, ISIS adheres to a number of strict guidelines and implements several safeguards throughout the cultivation and production process. Using the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) system, the processes are controlled and verified by procedures and controls from the field to the end-consumer. ISIS management has developed extensive quality manual and detailed standard operating procedures that are used in all company processes.
Where can I find ISIS products in Egypt? ISIS products can be purchased from all pharmacies, large retailers, supermarkets, mini markets and grocery shops all over Egypt`s governorates.
Conytex is an organic cotton producer of high quality fabrics, fashionable home textiles, and colourful baby wear. The design and development of the products is done in-house in our own studio, produced and marketed internationally under its own brand Cotton People Organic (CPO) and Nature Tex. CONYTEX competes successfully in the global market for organically produced textiles through design, manufacturing, and marketing due to the advantages of beautiful and high quality products from Egypt, the home of today s premium cotton production. The products are ISO 9001 certified and fully conform to Demeter standards. The brands CPO and Nature Tex stand for textiles with a range of products of classic simplicity, durability and natural charm.
ORGANIC COTTON TEXTILES
Cotton, an important cash crop, cultivated on nine million acres in 70 countries provides nearly half the world s fibre used in textile production. Traditional cotton cultivation requires more hazardous synthetic pesticides and insecticides than any other crop, yet when using sophisticated cultivation techniques, organic cotton can produce higher yields of equal or superior quality. Organic cultivation saves the farmers from pesticides, supports
biodiversity, preserves a healthy soil and maintains a balanced ecosystem. The world s first crop of biodynamic cotton was harvested in Egypt in 1991, a truly remarkable landmark achievement. Today, the yearly use of agrochemicals in Egypt has been reduced by over 30,000 tons since 500,000 hectares of cotton are now cultivated without pesticides.
LIBRA
ORGANIC CULTIVATION The principle of SEKEM builds on long-term trusting and fair relationships with partners, employees, farmers and farm managers through regular training, seminars, meetings to bring together agricultural engineers to share their experiences in close partnership.
LIBRA, the Organic cultivation company founded in 1988, has evolved into a multifaceted production company by diversifying into milling, drying and oil processing. LIBRA coordinates the agricultural logistic and cultivation of raw materials and exports to international business partners. The company owns farms, but cooperates extensively with a fast growing number of associated farms that have switched to biodynamic far-
ming methods, after rigorous training, provided by the Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA). This network of independent farmers supplies LIBRA with cotton, grains and seeds from all over Egypt. LIBRA promotes optimization of organic quality by applying a range of holistic quality monitoring systems. Market research and a close-knit relationship between supplier and consumer assure fair prices and security for producers, distributors
and consumers. To avoid unfair competition, crop rotation, planning and production are carried out, with transparent economic management, in close cooperation with all farmers, various distributors and retailers. These trading practices conform to the standards of the Fair Trade Federation. All products also comply with the international Demeter guidelines for biodynamic agriculture.
MIZAN MIZAN is a plant raising company aiming at providing EgyptÂ’s vegetable producers with healthy and profitable in-and-outdoor seedlings and grafted seedlings. MIZAN is a joint venture company between Grow Group Holland and Sekem Group Egypt. The principle of grafting is to use a vigorous rootstock with high absorbing and transporting capacities, to provide the chosen plant variety with its needed water and nutrients.
ORGANIC SEEDLINGS This combination of a vigorous rootstock and a strong variety leads to an increase in production of up to 10%. Grafted plants are more resistant against soil diseases like root rot, viruses, fusarium and are better adoptable to extreme climates. Grafting means lower cost per plant due to higher production and lower cost per area, especially seeds through lower plant density; grafting also means less input cost due to a healthier, more resistant plant.
MIZAN will graft and raise your plants in modern green houses under the supervision of Dutch experts. Through following the latest phytosanitarian and agricultural standards and implementing grafting tech nology, MIZAN provides you with a more profitable plant. MIZAN currently offers grafting and plant raising service for organic and conventional tomato, cucumber, cantaloupe, watermelon, squash, pepper and eggplant.
LOTUS LOTUS is a processing company for all kinds of organic herbs and spices from biodynamical cultivated plants. Herbs and spices are cleaned and classified through different processes according to the needs of the customers and the International DEMETER Processing Guidelines, ISO 9001 and HACCP, with greatest care towards their taste, aroma and their natural medicinal effectiveness. LOTUS aims to cultivate natural, chemical-free products and to safeguard the environment for future generations.
DRIED ORGANIC HERBS AND SPICES LOTUS products meet European quality control standards and have been certified to comply with International Demeter Guidelines, EC Regulations, European Pharmacopoeias, IFOAM Standards, ISO 9001 and the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification.
HATOR HATOR packs biodynamically grown fresh produce to local and international markets to supply and maintain the highest nutritive value, and adhere to the customersÂ’ technical specifications of each product. Today approximately 65 types of fresh and frozen produce are sold locally, under ISIS brand in "NatureÂ’s Best Shops" and supermarkets in Egypt. Internationally, HATOR distributes fresh fruits and vegetables through
ORGANIC FRESH PRODUCE
long-established partnerships in the UK and Netherlands, who trade the products throughout Europe. Quality, freshness and wholesomeness of the products are preserved by strict adherence to international quality standards through certification by Demeter, ISO 9001 certified quality management system and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards system.
ECOPROFIT is the most successful training and implementation programme for sustainable management in trade and industry. The main focus is to increase the efficiency of resources and energy and thus to reduce
emissions. At the same time it makes the companies more competitive and sustainable. The programme is particularly attractive because it enables enormous saving of resources, energy and money.
FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
ECOPROFIT
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
SALIS is a company for information and communication technology with the goal to provide excellence in software development. The firm is offering its services globally from its base in Egypt and is dedicated to exceed its customers‘ expectations. SALIS considers its employees as its strategic capital and is highly committed to invest
SALIS as much as possible in the continuous development of their skills. Salis' current core business is the development of customized software applications. At a competition for innovative business plans organised by the Egyptian Ministry for Communication and IT, SALIS achieved the first prize against 400 competitors.
In 1996 The International Association of Partnership (IAP) was established by SEKEM and several of its European business partners to create a dynamic interaction between farmers, producers, and traders to provide consumers with the highest quality of organic products at the fairest price. The IAP is a cooperation forum for all those interested in organic agriculture. It enhances their commitment to nature and a higher quality of food. The partners have cooperated since 1984 to strengthen the basis for biodynamic and organic agriculture world-wide.
IAP
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PARTNERSHIP
As the biodynamic and organic movements head into the 21st Century, these products attain more attention and capture a growing market share in world markets. On this growing tide of support for the reform and renewal of agriculture, we have to provide and communicate models and answers to the question of how to establish a healthy society. To build a healthy society, the IAP favours a holistic approach, combining economic, social, scientific
and cultural cooperation to meet the requirements for the century ahead. In the economic realm, IAP members currently exchange market information, plan strategic initiatives for marketing of organic products, finance new projects and strengthen existing ones. These actions are taken to facilitate the development of organic cultivation movements across the world. In the area of scientific and cultural cooperation, the IAP is developing a concept of
association in which the role of trade, farmers, producers and consumers is clarified. The IAP also seeks to improve the morale of the workers by enhancing their motivation. On the social level, the IAP is developing a code of ethics and a matching contractual basis for cooperation and fair policies. Partners meet four times annually to evaluate progress and implement decisions.
SEKEM Europe GmbH, Germany Christina Boecker Tel: (+49) 234 893 69 95 E-mail: christina.boecker@sekem.com SEKEM USA Brian Gannon Tel: (+1) 206 369 8580 E-mail: brian.gannon@sekem com
Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish has been selected as one of the world s most Outstanding Social Entrepreneurs by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. SEKEM was selected because it is establishing the blueprint for the healthy corporation of the 21st century. The strict criteria determine
COOPERATION The Sekem Development Foundation was established by Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish to contribute to the developmental goals of the Egyptian people and to facilitate the realization of Egypt's unique contribution to global advancement and progress. SEKEM Holding supports the education, medical care, training and research programs, undertaken by the SEKEM Development Foundation.
The Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA) is an NGO that provides biodynamic research and extension services to farmers all over Egypt. Its continuous training covers in a wide range of activities related to organic farming, from composting to grape pruning, to integrated pest management. EBDA also provides the training and expertise needed to enable a farmer to have his land inspected and certified as organic according to EU standards.
The Cooperative of SEKEM Employees seeks to develop social forms that ensure respect for the dignity of man, guarantee the equality among all employees, strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, and provide avenues for democratic participation and expressions of opinions and ideas.
economical sustainability, the direct positive social impact and the extend to which the social entrepreneur can serve as a role model.
AWARDS
COOPERATIVE OF SEKEM EMPLOYEES
SEKEM DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
the innovativeness of the approach, the outreach of its scope beyond the initial goals, and the ease of its replicability in other contexts. Also assessed is its
The SEKEM Initiative shows how business can combine profitability and engagement in world markets with a humane and spiritual approach to people and respect for the natural environment.The Jury sees in Sekem a business model for the 21st century in which commercial success promotes the social and cultural development of society through the economics of love .
1 Belbeis Desert Road P.O.B. 2834 El Horreya, Heliopolis, 11361 Cairo, Egypt E-mail: info@sekem.com - Web: www.sekem.com