Cairo
E G Y P T
Cairo
E G Y P T
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
toge-ther 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
pur-suing 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 AbouleishSEKEM 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.
SEKEM
AN EGYPTIAN
INITIATIVE
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 develop-ment to provide solutions for pressing questions dealing with various aspects of life, are con-ducted 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.
The SEKEM initiative with its many areas of activity
was founded to realise the vision of sustainable
development. SEKEM aims to contribute to the
com-prehensive development of the individual, society and
environment.
Cooperation in economic, social and cultural
endea-vours is cultivated through dedication to the pursuit
of science, art and religion.
In its business enterprises, SEKEM GROUP strives to accomplish the following objectives:
Curing the environment through the application of biodynamic agriculture methods
Developing solutions, pro-viding services and manu-facturing a variety of pro-ducts, 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.
The SEKEM Holding has established departments for finance to provide the re-quired funds for long term investments as well as for IT to manage the network and the different Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) ap-plications.
The business development department coordinates the different development pro-jects. Public Relations Depart-ment and Human Resources Department are providing the companies with services. The Quality Management Department with responsibi-lities for the development and maintenance of the qua-lity management systems,
enables the SEKEM Group to perform at the highest pos-sible level, and to introduce the concepts of continuous improvement, the learning organisation and Total Quality Management.
SEKEM Holding
guarantees the commitment to: implement SEKEMs vision of sustainable development
realise the benefits of biodynamic agriculture
optimize the utilization of financial and other resources 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
Managing Director Helmy Abouleish
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 Labora-tory Practices (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
The production processes comply with national and international regulations that conform ISO 9001standards. 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 agricul-ture 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 tolera-bility. The products are developed for different indications in Cancer therapy, Cardiolovascular, Dermatology, Gastro-Intestinal, 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
ATOS
In order to ensure the best quality and freshness of the products, ISIS adheres to a number of strict guidelines and implements several safe-guards throughout the cultiva-tion and produccultiva-tion process. Using the Hazard Analysis Cri-tical Control Points (HACCP) system, the processes are controlled and verified by pro-cedures and controls from the field to the end-consumer. ISIS management has deve-loped extensive quality manual and detailed standard ope-rating procedures that are used in all company processes.
Where can I find ISIS products in Egypt?
ISIS products can be purcha-sed from all pharmacies, large retailers, supermarkets, mini markets and grocery shops all over Egypt`s governorates.
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
Cotton, an important cash crop, cultivated on nine million acres in 70 countries provides nearly half the worlds 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 worlds first crop of bio-dynamic cotton was harve-sted in Egypt in 1991, a truly remarkable landmark achieve-ment. 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.
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 todays 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
The principle of SEKEM builds on long-term trusting
and fair relationships with partners, employees,
far-mers and farm managers through regular training,
seminars, meetings to bring together agricultural
engineers to share their experiences in close
partnership.
LIBRA, the Organic cultiva-tion company founded in 1988, has evolved into a multi-faceted production company by diversifying into milling, drying and oil processing. LIBRA coordinates the agri-cultural logistic and culti-vation of raw materials and exports to international business partners. The compa-ny owns farms, but coope-rates extensively with a fast growing number of asso-ciated farms that have switched to biodynamic
far-ming methods, after rigorous training, provided by the Egyptian Biodynamic Associa-tion (EBDA). This network of independent farmers supplies LIBRA with cotton, grains and seeds from all over Egypt. LIBRA promotes optimiza-tion of organic quality by ap-plying a range of holistic quality monitoring systems. Market research and a close-knit relationship bet-ween supplier and consumer assure fair prices and security for producers, distributors
and consumers. To avoid un-fair competition, crop rota-tion, planning and production are carried out, with trans-parent economic management, in close cooperation with all farmers, various distribu-tors and retailers. These trading practices conform to the standards of the Fair Trade Federation. All products also comply with the interna-tional Demeter guidelines for biodynamic agriculture.
LIBRA
MIZAN is a plant raising com-pany aiming at providing Egypts vegetable producers with healthy and profitable in-and-outdoor seedlings and grafted seedlings. MIZAN is a joint venture company bet-ween Grow Group Holland and Sekem Group Egypt. The principle of grafting is to use a vigorous rootstock with high absorbing and transpor-ting capacities, to provide the chosen plant variety with its needed water and nutrients.
This combination of a vigo-rous 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, fusa-rium and are better adopt-able to extreme climates. Grafting means lower cost per plant due to higher pro-duction 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 phytosani-tarian and agricultural stan-dards and implementing grafting tech nology, MIZAN provides you with a more profitable plant.
MIZAN currently offers graf-ting and plant raising service for organic and conventional tomato, cucumber, canta-loupe, watermelon, squash, pepper and eggplant.
MIZAN
ORGANIC
LOTUS is a processing company for all kinds of orga-nic 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 Inter-national DEMETER Proces-sing Guidelines, ISO 9001 and HACCP, with greatest care towards their taste, aro-ma and their natural medici-nal effectiveness. LOTUS aims to cultivate natural, chemical-free products and to safeguard the environment for future generations.
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.
LOTUS
DRIED ORGANIC
HERBS AND SPICES
HATOR packs biodynami-cally grown fresh produce to local and international markets to supply and main-tain the highest nutritive value, and adhere to the customers technical specifi-cations of each product. Today approximately 65 types of fresh and frozen pro-duce are sold locally, under ISIS brand in "Natures Best Shops" and supermarkets in Egypt. Internationally, HATOR distributes fresh fruits and vegetables through
long-established partner-ships in the UK and Nether-lands, who trade the pro-ducts throughout Europe. Quality, freshness and wholesomeness of the pro-ducts are preserved by strict adherence to interna-tional quality standards through certification by De-meter, ISO 9001 certified quality management system and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards system.
HATOR
ORGANIC
SALIS is a company for information and communica-tion 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 employ-ees as its strategic capital and is highly committed to invest
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
as much as possible in the continuous development of their skills. Salis' current core business is the development of customized software cations.
At a competition for innova-tive business plans organised by the Egyptian Ministry for Communication and IT, SALIS achieved the first prize against 400 competitors.
emissions. At the same time it makes the companies more competitive and sustainable. The programme is particu-larly attractive because it enables enormous saving of resources, energy and money.
SALIS
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
ECOPROFIT
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 As the biodynamic and
orga-nic movements head into the 21st Century, these pro-ducts attain more attention and capture a growing market share in world mar-kets. 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
association in which the role of trade, farmers, producers and consumers is clarified. The IAP also seeks to im-prove the morale of the wor-kers by enhancing their mo-tivation. On the social level, the IAP is developing a code of ethics and a matching contractual basis for coope-ration and fair policies. Partners meet four times annually to evaluate progress and implement decisions.
In 1996 The International Association of Partnership (IAP) was established by
SEKEM and several of its European business partners to create a dynamic
inter-action 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
commit-ment 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.
and cultural cooperation to meet the requirements for the century ahead. In the eco-nomic realm, IAP members currently exchange market information, plan strategic ini-tiatives for marketing of organic products, finance new projects and strengthen existing ones. These actions are taken to facilitate the development of organic culti-vation movements across the world.
In the area of scientific and cultural cooperation, the IAP is developing a concept of
IAP
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION
SEKEM DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
The Sekem Development Foundation was established by Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish to contribute to the develop-mental 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 pro-grams, undertaken by the SEKEM Development Foun-dation.
The Egyptian Biodynamic As-sociation (EBDA) is an NGO that provides biodyna-mic 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 trai-ning and expertise needed to enable a farmer to have his land inspected and certified as organic according to EU standards.
The SEKEM Initiative shows how business can combine profitability and engagement in world markets with a hu-mane 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 cul-tural development of society through the economics of love.
Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish has been selected as one of the worlds 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
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
COOPERATIVE OF SEKEM EMPLOYEES
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.