The SEKEM initiative in Egypt represents an acknowledged sustainable development model that integrates ethical business with human and ecosystem development in the desert. Together with its supplying farmers, SEKEM was the first entity to apply biodynamic farming methods in Egypt. Biodynamic farming is a form of organic farming, whereby animals, crops, and soil are treated as a single system. SEKEM’s commitment to innovative development led to the nationwide application of biodynamic and organic methods to control pests and improve crop yields. Over the past decades, SEKEM has grown exponentially and become a local market leader for selected organic products and phyto-pharmaceuticals, which are now also exported to Europe and other countries.
The vision of SEKEM’s founder Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish was to create an initiative that fosters sustainable development towards “a future where every human being can unfold his or her individual potential; where mankind is living together in social forms reflecting human dignity; and where all economic activity is conducted in accordance with ecological and ethical principles.” One of the most crucial results from this integrated worldview is that SEKEM’s vision and implementation are not only deeply rooted in Egyptian culture and Islamic values, but also strongly follows the spirit of social three-folding, i.e. the idea that human life in general consists of economic, cultural and political spheres that are independently organized but strongly interrelated. For Ibrahim Abouleish, ecology as the basis for the human social body was the fourth sphere that contributes to the whole, hence agriculture that develops nature was the basis for his envisioned development impulse for Egypt.
Dr. Maximilian Abouleish-Boes came to Egypt to join SEKEM 12 years ago. One of his core roles has been to serve the initiative as the lead for the Sustainable Development department, being responsible for diverse projects and integrative reporting.
In this interview, he tells us about the situation of Ecosystem Restoration/Development in Egypt and which role SEKEM plays in it. He explains which challenges they face and how they overcome them. We discussed the “4 Returns” framework, developed by Commonland for the restoration of degraded ecosystems, where one of the main points is the social side of the projects; and tried to figure out how important cultural life and human development is for the ecology.
The transcript was lightly edited for reading purposes and some information was added. The text has been read and approved by Dr. Maximilian Abouleish-Boes before placement in Arab-West Report.
