Nr. 102 - February 2011
Insight
SEKEM‘s Journal for Economy, Culture, and Society in Egypt
Editorial Dear Readers,
this cannot be just another regular issue of “SEKEM Insight”. Since 25 January 2011, the Egyptian revolution has been on everyone’s minds. It is hardly necessary to trace the course of development in recent weeks. However, it is necessary to explain how the SEKEM initiative and its co-workers steered through these times of change. SEKEM has always been committed to positive change and has always stood up for it. The current development has not left the social and economic environments of the people who work with SEKEM in Cairo and the surrounding area of Belbeis untouched. At times, the Cairo office could operate only to a limited extent, often not all farm employees could show up at their workplaces. Many of the executive managers at SEKEM’s companies are still sharing their experiences of the recent events with their colleagues. During the late days of January the SEKEM spirit was particularly noticeable when many employees guarded “their” SEKEM farm and co-workers day and night on their own initiative. We publish in this issue on page 3 the current statement of the initiative for the information of all employees, friends and partners.
Your Team of Editors
Revolution
Climate Change
Biodiversity
Statement by the SEKEM Initiative
Copenhagen, Cancún, Hamburg
Experiencing Diversity - with SEKEM
Cancún, Copenhagen, Hamburg: SEKEM Engaged for a Better Climate Helmy Abouleish has spoken on SEKEM’s work for a better climate at many events of international stature in the past - most recently in Cancun.
Egyptian and European engineers together with the trainees of the Vocational Training Centre engineers installed „Scheffler Mirrors“ on the SEKEM Farm partially replacing energy generated by fossil fuels.
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he World Future Council’s Annual General Meeting in Germany and the United Nations Climate Conference in Cancún, Mexico have been the two most recent and high-level events at which Helmy Abouleish has been engaged as councillor or country delegate for Egypt and the work of the SEKEM initiative. Both events revolved around one of SEKEM’s core interests and concerns: agriculture and its contribution to fighting the dangerous consequences of climate change.
Last November the World Future Council (WFC) - a charitable foundation safeguarding the rights of future generations and with long-standing relations with SEKEM - convened for four days in Hamburg for their 4th Annual General Meeting. As a councilor and advisor to the WFC, Helmy Abouleish had been invited to participate in the meeting. At the AGM, the focus of his participation was placed on the issue of “Future Finance” within the framework of the Sustainable Economies SEKEM Insight | February 2011 | Page 1
Economy
SEKEM is also working on its own premises for the proliferation of renewable energy.
Programme of the WFC. At first sight, this might appear surprising as international financial policies and regulations are commonly not linked with sustainable agriculture, the core business of SEKEM. The commission on Future Finance however demonstrated a viable solution for the deadlock the international community currently faces with financing the enormous amounts of monetary resources necessary for climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes. As climate change represents a fundamental challenge for the agricultural sector, “Future Finance” does indeed touch on SEKEM’s core interests and its ideals for global human development. Special Drawing Rights The solution of the WFC and its Future Finance Commission revolves around so-called Special Drawing Rights that could be created by, for instance, the International Monetary Fund. These rights could then be cashed in at banks in return for real money. To prevent misuse of these funds, the idea of the WFC stipulates that the distribution of the Special Drawing Rights would have to be linked to specific goal-oriented development projects such as the construction of wind power systems. A supranational supervisory board would act as an additional safeguard against abuse. Helmy Abouleish’s commitment for the Future Finance Commission resulted in his election to chair the commission.
The WFC’s proposal on funding measures against climate change offers a feasible solution to the predominant issue discussed at the annual conferences of the parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: how to develop a regime that carries on the Kyoto Protocol which will expire in 2012 and how to secure the funding of its comprehensive global implementation. This “post-Kyoto regime” has been given the name “long-term cooperative action” (LCA). The 16th and most comprehensive and inclusive international conference on climate change (COP16) took place in Cancún, Mexico, from 29 November to 10 December 2010. It was the second time that Helmy Abouleish had the chance to participate as a member of the Egyptian delegation after COP15 2009, the preceding conference in Copenhagen.
technology transfer is seen as vital to enabling developing countries to transform their industries into lowcarbon industries. Helmy Abouleish promoted the “Future Finance” proposal to finance measures fighting climate change which he also had the chance to present at a side-event. He further advocated the simplification of procedural and regulatory aspects of so-called national appropriate mitigation actions (NAMA’s). NAMA’s are climate change mitigating projects to be carried out solely in developing countries, funded by industrialized countries and supported through technology transfer measures. A newly created Green Climate Fund will distribute the funds for developing countries which are supposed to increase to 100 billion US dollars per year until 2020.
Climate Change, Agriculture, and SEKEM
Overall, the climate negotiations in Cancún turned out to be surprisingly more cooperative than in Copenhagen in 2009 which is widely seen as a complete failure. A post-Kyoto regime is particularly important to developing countries that are highly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change such as Egypt, the home country of SEKEM. Private businesses like SEKEM would benefit from new opportunities to start climate friendly projects (for example as NAMA’s) which in turn could foster the future competitiveness of Egypt as a country. Cancún fortunately delivered a consensus agreement with several promising new features like the Green Climate Fund. Also Helmy Abouleish came to a positive conclusion and considers the door open still for a post-Kyoto regime.
As an agricultural expert and businessman of a developing country on the border of Africa and the Middle East which is very vulnerable to climate change, Helmy Abouleish dedicated himself to promote sustainable agriculture, green business, and the issue of funding. During the negotiations for a new LCA draft text Helmy Abouleish and other representatives from developing countries worked to have “sustainable agriculture” mentioned in the text. However, as industrialized countries continued to oppose its insertion, agriculture was completely left out of the final LCA text. Strategically, this may not necessarily be a problem as all options to work for its integration remain open. At the World Climate Summit (a highlevel summit within COP16) Helmy Abouleish advocated greening the economy through sustainable agriculture. He argued that the private sector has the greatest potential to combat climate change if the right incentives are set to work and if social entrepreneurship gains momentum. Moreover,
From Copenhagen to Cancún
Matthias Keitel is a policy analyst and supports Helmy Abouleish is his work for several committees and boards of the World Economic Forum, UN Global Compact, UNFCCC and other international institutions revolving around climate policy, sustainable agriculture and low-carbon economics.
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More information: http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org
SEKEM Insight | February 2011 | Page 2
Dear Friends of SEKEM! On 11 February, we witnessed a historic event which will live on as a milestone in the history of the country and the people of Egypt: after nearly three weeks mostly peaceful demonstrations President Mubarak resigned. During the past 60 years, three presidents ruled Egypt: Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat, and Hosni Mubarak. Thus the country was ruled by military generals for multiple decades with the result that today its people are impoverished and the country is frequently classified as a “developing nation�. The long and successful history of Egypt, our practical experience with the co-workers of the SEKEM Initiative, and the perseverance with which the Egyptian youth made the recent changes possible show us that there is far more potential for development. However, throughout the last dark decades Egyptians looked back to only the old values: the pyramids and temples, and the old remarkably rich history of this country. Thanks to the recent developments now the way is free to work towards the creation of modern values, and develop the untapped potential of the country and its people. This was, is, and will continue to be possible only through a holistic worldview and sustainable activities that include areas that go well beyond the level of material wellbeing. SEKEM has been working in this manner from the beginning, and we believe that this work has contributed to making the current events possible. Through more than 30 years of holistic development and education, we were able to contribute to the development of a new consciousness in society. It now exhibits new spirit of initiative and personal responsibility instead of resignation, which has been a breeding ground for the protest movement that has not only wished for the future of Egypt to be different but has actively campaigned for it. In this sense SEKEM will continue to contribute to the development of Egypt and its transformation into a liberal-democratic, peaceful, and productive society. SEKEM intends to be a servant of the zeitgeist. We would like to extend our gratitude to the readers of SEKEM Insight and our other friends and supporters for their help, their tireless sympathy for SEKEM, and their encouragement of our work - without all this, the successful work of SEKEM would not have been possible. We hope that through joint action and spiritual guidance we will be able to find the appropriate ways into the future. As it has done for many years SEKEM Insight will continue to report on this development for all supporters and friends of the initiative. Cordially in the name of all SEKEM co-workers,
Helmy Abouleish
Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish
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Economy
Experience Diversity - Without Genetically Modified Food Within the initiative “Experience Diversity” of its partner Alnatura SEKEM has committed to the fight against GMOs and for diversity in agriculture.
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onoculture, lack of diversity, and the use of genetic engineering have already become characteristic features of the modern agricultural industry. This not only threatens our ecosystems, the biodiversity of nature, and the existence and proliferation of sustainable agriculture. Moreover, consumer choice is increasingly being restricted - in particular by the spread of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s). Their global presence is a threat to the survival of a GMO-free agriculture. Because of the increasing use of GMO’s many farmers who do not want to have anything to do with genetic engineering fear increasing contamination. Producers already have to spend enormous sums on the control of their products in order to guarantee them being free of contaminants. SEKEM is no exception. Majority of Customers Continues to Reject GM Food Nevertheless the general opinion among consumers with regard to genetic engineering in agriculture is overwhelmingly clear. A study by the Federal Office for Nature Conservation (BfN) in the Federal Ministry of the Environment (BMU) published in October 2010 comes to the conclusion that 87 percent of Germans are opposed to genetic engineering in agriculture. Despite this unmistakable picture the European Commission in particular continues to exhibit a positive stance towards the issue of genetic engineering. This is a clear violation of consumer opinion in favour of the agricultural lobby. In this case, the European Union’s leaders have long been aware of the critical attitude of most of its citizens on the issue of
genetic engineering in the production of food. The initiative „Experience Diversity“ SEKEM therefore participates in the initiative “Experience Diversity“ launched by its partner Alnatura. The project makes 2011 the year of action for biodiversity in agriculture: the initiative will be the largest nationwide commitment of like-minded partners to date against genetic engineering and for the promotion and preservation of biodiversity. Many partners from the fields of environmental and consumer protection, agriculture, food processing and trade have come together in the alliance in order to combine the power of as many dedicated consumers as possible to promote a change in attitudes and specific legislative measures in modern agricultural policy-making. The official launch of “Experience Diversity” was on 15 February 2011, the date on which also the campaign website www.vielfalterleben.info went live as the central online platform of the Action Alliance. Public Petition Against Genetic Engineering in Agriculture “Experience Diversity” also intends to increase awareness of politicians of the majority opinion of the population through a public petition and a large collection of signatures. The most important milestone of action is for the petition to pass the threshold for a hearing before the Committee on Petitions of the German Bundestag. For this purpose, the Organic Food Industry Federation (BÖLW) as a political representative of the “Experience Diversity” initiative will file a petition in the spring of 2011. The exact
wording has not yet been determined, but it is certain that the petition will be centred on the fight against agrobiotechnology. The tentative start of the six-week subscription period has been set to the end of March 2011. The goal is to collect at least 50.000 signatures during the first three weeks in order to force the Committee on Petitions of the German Bundestag to hear the demands of the initiative. In the case of a successful petition genetic engineering expert, Dr. Felix Prinz zu Loewenstein, chairman of the BÖLW, will speak before the committee as petitioner. Signatures and Seeds The period of collecting signatures against genetic engineering - in written form and online - has started in mid-February to coincide with the start of the initiative and the promotional sales of eight different non-GMO varieties of seeds. The “Experience Diversity” seed sachets are available nationwide at Alnatura, dm, and Budni in Northern Germany. The proceeds from the sale of the sachets will support the seed fund of the Foundation on Future Farming and the Society for Ecological Apiculture “mellifera”. The anticipated completion of the campaign will be marked by the submission of the signature cards: they will be submitted in the summer of 2011 with a publicity campaign to Ilse Aigner, Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection. Source: Vielfalterleben
SEKEM Insight | February 2011 | Page 4
Impressions
Impressions from SEKEM
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ifty girls and boys aged 3 to 6 attend the SEKEM Kindergarten. In two mixed-age play groups, children are cared for six days a week. Most children come from the immediate vicinity of SEKEM, from the villages that are home to many SEKEM employees. They are supervised by four teachers who were trained in SEKEM and lead their groups with love and great commitment. In addition to numerous activities such as watercolour painting, free play, gymnastics, or baking every week a eurythmy class is part of the curriculum allowing the children to experience the joy of movement, sound, poetry, and stories. The eurythmy teacher knows how to select the exercises is such a way that they inspire the children and stimulate their active involvement while also promote concentration, dexterity and the coordination of movements.
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News in Brief
GLS-Bank Reports Record Growth
Forest Protection Annual Theme of „Future Policy Award“ 2011
Eight Principles for a Green Economy
Bochum-based GLS-Bank, a longtime supporter and partner of the SEKEM Initiative, recently reported a record growth of 37 percent for the year of 2010, the biggest jump in growth in their history. Total financial volume of the GLS Group (banking, trust and investment business) now amounts to 2.4 billion euros.
What are the policies that most successfully protect and manage forests? The World Future Council offers some compelling answers. At the recent Annual Meeting of the United Nations Forum on Forests in New York, the World Future Council (WFC) announced that it will provide this year’s distinguished Future Policy Award to the world’s most inspiring, innovative and influential laws on forest protection and management. The Awards will be presented in New York in September 2011 at a reception hosted by the UN Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the WFC. Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish is a member of the council in the action area “Sustainable Finance”.
The development of “greener” economic and institutional reforms is the main goal of the third follow-up conference to the Earth Summit of 1992 (Rio +20): Earth Summit 2012. Therefore, together with the New Economics Foundation, ANPED, ALOE and the Stakeholder Forum the World Future Council (WFC) on 8 and 9 January 2011 in New York organized a preparatory workshop on “sustainable economic change and the necessary political measures” to be taken by governments to promote their development and implementation.
The model of the GLS-Bank shows, says speaker of the board Thomas Jorberg at the annual press conference in Bochum, that „sustainable banking oriented towards the holistic needs of its customers is possible and is gaining in importance.“ In the year 2010 the bank was able to welcome 18.200 new customers. More and more people would rely on the services of the GLS-Bank as a true universal bank. „We are the only social-ecological bank in Germany that offers the complete range of current accounts, meaningful participation in project financing and even philanthropy products,“ Jorberg continued. The GLS-Bank currently has over 91.000 customers. The number of employees increased over the past twelve months by 77 to now 313 employees. According to Chief Financial Officer Andrew Neukirch deposits have increased from 1.152 million to 1.602 million Euro. This represents an increase of even 39 percent. The bank also has seen strong growth in the credit sector. In total the GLS Bank in the year 2010 was able to finance 11.580 promising projects in the areas of environmental protection, social development, and housing with a global volume of 877 million Euro.
In making the announcement, Alexandra Wandel, Executive Member of the Management Board of the German-based organization, said, “Exemplary policy solutions do exist. The Future Policy Award celebrates the best of them. The aim of the award is to raise global awareness for these policies and speed up policy action. At the World Future Council we strive to enhance policy progress in the interest of future generations.” Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said, “Forests hold more than 80 percent of the world’s terrestrial biological diversity and deforestation and degradation are major reasons for the world’s unprecedented biodiversity loss.” Nominations for the Future Policy Award are received from a select group of international organizations as well as from Councillors and Advisors of the World Future Council.
Source: GLS-Bank
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More information: http://www.gls-bank.de
Source: WFC
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More information: http://www.wordfuturecouncil.org
The participants, mostly experts from think-tanks, developed eight principles for a Green Economy in the course of the event. Dr. Maja Göpel, WFC Director for future justice, summarised these principles and brought them into a follow-up discussion in preparation for the event. Until the first official Rio +20 preparatory meetings beginning of March, the workshop participants will continue to develop an international framework and specific policy measures for the implementation of a sustainable economy. Source: WFC
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More information: http://www.wordfuturecouncil.org
Masthead: The editors of SEKEM Insight wish to thank all contributors to this issue. Editors: Christina Boecker Bijan Kafi Contact: SEKEM-Insight c/o SEKEM Holding P.O.Box 2834, El Horreya, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt insight@SEKEM.com Pictures: 1,3,5: SEKEM No republication without written consent by the publisher.
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