Nr. 87 - November 2009 Insight SEKEM‘s Journal for Economy, Culture, and Society in

Editorial Environment Economy Culture Helmy Abouleish and The Date Harvest at the Al Gore in Kopenhagen has Begun Alexandria Festival Dear Reader, Helmy Abouleish and Al Gore for many years once a month SEKEM Insight has been trying to let co-workers, friends, and part- Discuss Climate Change ners catch a glimpse of what is going on inside the initiative. Over the years the role of the newslet- ter has changed: more pictures, longer articles, guest writers, and a greater emphasis on „green“ topics have enlarged and altered both its form and its content.

4 years have passed since SEKEM Insight has been visually over- hauled for the last time. With this year’s 11th issue the newsletter receives a more thorough makeo- ver. A fresh layout brings more col- ours, text that is easier to read and even more images. SEKEM Insight also opens to the world in terms of its content. A greater number of articles will deal with issues of sustainability and the “green sector”. SEKEM Insight’s new aim will be to put more emphasis on Helmy Abouleish talks about the impact of agriculture on climate change at a summit on the topic in New York the collaborative work of SEKEM and its partners for their common goals in Egypt and abroad. They first met at the UN Summit on Climate Change at the end of September in New York. There, Helmy Abouleish, CEO of the SEKEM Holding, and Al Gore, former Vice It will take a while until all glitches President of the United States of America, were both attending a press conference on have been ironed out. We hope the summit. A mutual basis was easily found: their untiring commitment to protect that SEKEM Insight will then be the climate and the conviction that agriculture should play a more prominent role in an even more pleasurable read for the struggle to fight climate change. you. Let us know if you miss some- Both met again on 27 and 28 October in the Middle East. Helmy Abouleish met Gore in thing and tell us what you like or Dubai and brought him to Cairo where Gore was supposed to attend “Egypt’s Business dislike. We value all input that we Summit on Climate Change” organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in receive at [email protected]. Egypt. On the flight the two had four hours to exchange their experiences and latest scientific results in climate protection. “Al Gore is very pragmatic but always has an anecdote to tell. I found him to be very inspiring,” says Helmy Abouleish. The most

Your Team of Editors Continued on page 4

Page 1 Economy

At SEKEM the Date Harvest has Begun

Especially during wintertime when days are short and rainy the sombre weather has a negative influence on the mood of many. It is the time of the year when dried fruit become popular again.

main source of income for many of the tinue to develop. Sometimes a white oasis-dwelling groups of Egyptians. residue may appear on the surface of Until only recently, many of them lived the fruits: crystallised fructose. very isolated lives in remote villages At ISIS the hard work has now only that were difficult to reach and its cul- just begun. Many days during the year tures largely disconnected from the are spent by co-workers removing rest of Egypt. the kernels from the dates and care- For farmer Zouhier bio-dynamic agri- fully examining them for damage from culture today is the only sustainable insects. Only the highest quality fruits method of farming and for a simple are picked and packaged for custom- reason. It has not only retained the ers in Egypt and overseas. Squashed quality of its soils but even improved dates are only used for syrups and them over the past years. He has now other by-products. begun to also grow liquorice and other The dates are now checked again - spices that he can later sell to SEKEM both manually and in the laboratory. in the shades of the giant palm trees The examiners check for the complete scattered about his plantations. removal of the kernel, cleanness, and To provide for the best possible qual- microbiological or chemical residue. ity Zouhier has to carefully tend to Depending on the preference of the SEKEMs co-workers need their skills to work in the lofty heights of the date palm trees his dates throughout the entire year. customer the dates are filled with nuts Already in summer when the spadi- and packaged in cartons or in bas- Dried fruits protect the aroma and the ces show the first signs of the later kets made from natural fibres. They sweetness of the sun-spoiled sum- fruits they are being packaged begin- are then sold in bulk to supermar- mer days. No wonder that demand ning at the top of the tree using nets kets in Egypt, and the neighbouring for SEKEM’s dates increases during to protect them from insects. Only Arab countries such as Dubai or Saudi the wintertime and right before the the female trees bear fruit and in Arabia. However, more and more are Christmas holidays. September when it is time for the har- also being shipped to organic food vest Zouhier and his neighbours from stores in or Austria. Sweet to the taste and especially rich the oasis climb each of the trees again Christina Boecker in easily digestible carbon hydrates to collect the dates. dried fruits are the perfect energy supply during work or leisure time The fruits - still red and bitter - are and have been valued for millennia in then laid out to dry directly on the site many countries of the Middle East for to develop their own sweetness while their delicious taste. In fact, a tradi- their skin turns brown and crumples. tional dish made from dates and milk On the SEKEM Farm in the facilities is used to conclude the ritual annual of ISIS the dates are then carefully feasting during the month of Ramadan washed and dried again, now in large (Islamic month of feasting). ovens. The temperature inside is care- The dates that leave SEKEM’s pack- fully controlled by quality engineers aging plant are from the Western- to make sure that the drying level of Egyptian oases such as the “Oasis the fruits is optimal and provides for a Siwa”, hence the name “Siwa Dates”. maximum shelf life of several months without any reduction in quality. This specific Egyptian variety is known Packaging of dates in ISIS‘ to be very juicy and sweet. For ages the Therefore the dried fruit cannot attract refrigerated storage facilities dates grown in oases have been the mold or perish - only their sugars con-

Page 2 Economy

Congress on Eco-Social Business Shows Practical Ways out of Modern Crises

Helmy Abouleish, Franz Alt and Muhammad Yunus, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, discuss eco-social ways out the crises of poverty and climate change

Helmy Abouleish is convinced that organic agriculture There is no lack in material or financial means.“ According to can solve the problem of climate change. The CEO of the Jorberg the economic world view unnaturally skews reality SEKEM Holding used plenty of practical examples to illus- in a destructive way that will have negative consequences trate his point at the preparatory conference of the „Vision even when viewed only from an entrepreneurial standpoint: Summit 09“ in Berlin, for instance, how Egyptian soils can „The idea of a ‘return on investment on any cost’ does not be fertilised through organic compost and CO2-equivalent make sense at all, even from an entirely economic stand- emissions can be sequestered or entirely avoided. The pre- point. As an entrepreneur I first and foremost have to think conference on eco-social business organised by the Federal of my customers and his interests.“ He contrasted the eco- Association Organic Food and Organic Products (BNN) nomic world view with the alternative concept of his own Production and Trade on 7 November 2009 in Berlin brought bank as an expression of the vision of “sustainable bank- together a great number of thinkers and practitioners from ing”: „Sustainability also means to ask yourself every day: economics, industries, politics, and the media. From 4 – 9 does it makes sense to invest in this? Yes, it does make November the Vision Summit presented projects, ideas, and sense to finance ecological and social sustainability“. visions that carry forward the impulse of social entrepre- Muhammad Yunus, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, had neurship to solve social problems through economic means. initially demanded the founding of so-called „social enter- It was the aim of the congress to incite change and provide prises“ that specifically aim at tackling social and environ- participants with practical solutions to urgent problems mental problems . „When you stop seeing the world only without focussing only on theoretical analysis, says BNN’s from a perspective of profit maximisation but begin to think CEO Elke Röder. in terms of social benefits, you perceive the entire world differently“, says the founder of the Grameen Bank from Thomas Jorberg, Speaker of the Directorate of the GLS- Bangladesh. Bank, also spoke of “limitations in thinking” when referring to the deficits in fighting climate change and tackling other urgent problems of today: „We have demonstrated great „We have demonstrated exceptional resolve in resolve in fighting the financial crisis. We could easily direct fighting the financial crisis. We can show the same the same enthusiasm into fighting other problems of today. enthusiasm in solving our urgent world problems.“

Long-standing partner of SEKEM and friend Ulrich Walter, CEO of the Ulrich-Walter-GmbH with its Lebensbaum brand, demonstrated how it is possible to act responsibly and value-driven along the entire value chain from the coffee plantation into the organic food store. In this context he pointed to the code of conduct of the organic food sector that is the first example of an entire sector laying down its own guiding principles. The event eventually lead to a network of international actors of all generations and many sectors of sustainable business. The participants demanded the topic of agricul- ture to be integrated into the next Kyoto-Plus-Protocol. This would serve as a strong incentive for the conversion of con- ventional to organic agriculture specifically in developing countries.

Bijan Kafi with material from BNN

Muhammad Yunus demans „social enterprises“ to More Informationen at: tackle the world‘s most urgent problems ! http://www.n-bnn.de

Page 3 Culture

Alex Fest Brings Europe and the Mediterranean Closer Together

SEKEM Eurythmy Ensemble takes part in a festival organised by the Anna-Lindh-Foundation for Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue in Alexandria

Continued from page 1

On 16 October 2009 the Anna-Lindth-Foundation for Euro-Mediterranean important issue that emerged from Dialogue organised the first annual „Farah el Bahr“ cultural festival in the their talks was the need to identify Egyptian coastal town of Alexandria. The 1-day event forming a part of the city strategies that would be appropriate festival „Alex Fest“ was held in the historical citadel „Qaitbey“. It’s aim was to to Egypt’s specific modern needs. bring together artists from the Mediterranean neighbour states and Europe in Sustainable agriculture holds great the framework of a pan-Mediterranean dialogue of cultures. Plus, it aimed at potential as one hectare of healthy raising awareness for all forms of Egyptian folk art specifically in the Egyptian soil can store up to 7.5 tons of car- audience. The SEKEM Eurythmy Ensemble had been invited to participate. bon dioxide. However, as most of The event was held in the exact same spot where the renowned Alexandria Egypt’s arable land is not maintained lighthouse had been erected millennia ago. As part of the 7 wonders of the in sustainable ways soils continue to ancient world it sent its light up to 50km out into the Mediterranean Sea. „Farah emit more greenhouse gas than they el Bahr“, meaning „Wedding of the Seas“, was a befitting name for the event absorb. Thus Gore doubts that agri- to which the Anna-Lindh-Foundation had invited individual artists and groups culture will be included in the new alike. Folk dance and theatre groups as well as music ensembles and other art- Kyoto follow-up treaty this December. ists from the European and Egyptian arts scenes formed part of the programme. Nevertheless both agreed to keep on promoting the issue with a view to The preparations for the SEKEM ensemble’s performance in white eurythmy pushing for its inclusion in a protocol dresses and colourful silk scarfs quickly drew the attention of the visitors. The next year. colours of the scarfs fascinated the audience and encouraged curious questions: „What kind of dance is that? When are you going to perform?“ However, no- Al Gore has also dedicated an full chapter to the issue in his latest book. Continued on page 5 He sees great opportunities for Egypt in “Desertec”, a multinational solar- thermal energy project to be built in North Africa. The technology uses the immense natural resources available in its deserts. The project would bring key technologies to Egypt and help the country reduce its dependency on fos- sil fuels, argues Gore. Abouleish and Gore jointly plan a conference on the project’s opportunities and challenges that will be organised in cooperation with the Industrial Modernisation Center (IMC) of Egypt. Both will meet again in December in Copenhagen. Helmy Abouleish will be part of the Egyptian delegation as the only business man amongst 22 gov- ernmental delegates. His personal goal for the negotiations is to push for a more proactive approach to fighting climate change.

Bianca Fliß SEKEM’s Eurythmy Ensemble at the „Farah El Bahr“ festival in front of the historic citadel More information at: ! http://www.350.org

Page 4 Culture

Impressions from SEKEM Continued from page 4 one could really tell. „We are waiting“… „well, then we will join you!“, many participants replied. „We would like to take a picture!“ A number of children came to touch the scarfs that coincidentally seemed to remind them of the kites they raised that day into the blue skies over Alexandria. A small patch of soil had to suffice for the Eurythmy perform- ance itself - the stage that had been erected specifically for the event could not support the entire ensemble. Most of the Egyptian visitors showed eager interest in the unusual presentation. Small children could not wait to try out the eurythmy movements themselves. Particularly impressive to many were a well-known poem by the Arab poet Khalil Gibran: „Ateni naija wa rani“ (Hand me the flute and sing as the voice is the secret of eternity; and the sound of the flute, it remains even though all life must perish“ ) and a poem of the Lebanese poet Michael Nuweima, „Ja Bahru“ ( Oh, sea!). The latter tells of the ebb and flow of the sea and the metaphorical counterpart to this image, the human The annual SEKEM Festival flourishes with the soul. The immediate proximity of the sea contributed to the participation of the initiative‘s co-workers exceptional atmosphere at the site during the performance.

The use of modern technologies allowed for the music and On 19 November 2009 the co-workers of SEKEM, many the recital to be audible far beyond the borders of the cita- guests, and friends met for the 32th time to celebrate the del and well within the city of Alexandria. Most visitors birth of the SEKEM Initiative through the SEKEM Festival. noticed the close connection between the move- The festival, as always held on the grounds of the origi- ments of the eurythmy ensemble and the nal farm, gave its participants the opportunity to expe- poetic language only when systems failed rience live a diverse programme of music, theatre, for a brief moment and revealed the inti- dance, acrobatics, and eurythmy. mate relationship between the two The high point of this year’s celebration was forms of artistic expression. the performance of the SEKEM choir. The new As no props had been provided all and enlarged ensemble for the first time incor- actors had to change dresses in pub- porated music-loving children, lic and on stage. That caught the teachers, and co-work- attention of the audience ers of the Heliopolis and helped make Academy and various them understand firms in one single the intricate har- group under the lead- mony of the col- ership of Bernhard ours used in Sieberer. Under the the eurythmy experienced direction dresses and the of the musician from meaning of the Austria and current various pieces of musical director at SEKEM music. Thus the event the group presented two songs also had the effect of allow- from well-known international movies, famil- ing visitors who were entirely unfamiliar with iar to all the Egyptian visitors. The wood- eurythmy to understand the spirit of the art bet- wind ensemble of the Heliopolis Chamber ter and in an accustomed, every-day place. Orchestra supported the performance.

Martina Dinkel Sandra Poettrich

More information at: ! http://www.euromedalex.org

Page 5 Social

World Day of Children‘s Rights: The Difficult Search for Universal Rights

Formulation and implementation of international children‘s rights is a long and difficult negotiation process that brings together a diverse set of stakeholders across cultural boundaries.

drafting of the convention took more than 10 years involv- ing 65 countries and the double number of international NGO’s in the process contributing proposals, suggestions, remarks, and voicing criticism. It would be remarkable if none of them detected and criticised the alleged Eurocentric perspective. Additionally and indeed contrary to the prior assessment, it is often claimed that the convention’s arti- cles are too vague and leave room for excessive adaptation and deliberate interpretation. This vagueness, however, can also be seen as the deliber- ate acknowledgment of cultural diversity and various con- cepts of childhood. Here the core article of the CRC - article 3 - is cited most often. Article 3 states that “in all actions con- cerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, (…), or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.” The alignment of all partners on this article has been a long SEKEM is actively supporting the enforcement of children‘s rights through a diverse, inclusive, and personality-centered education for the poor struggle throughout the drafting process of the CRC. Yet eventually the formulation “in the best interest of a child” leaves the most room for the cultural diversity and the Any care devoted to the healthy development of children greatest number of concepts of childhood without under- is care well invested - in many and not only social and eco- mining the role and importance of children in society. The nomic terms. And the sooner it begins, the bigger its impact formulation does not restrict cultural diversity. Instead it will be. The World Day of Children’s Rights on 20 November functions as an enabler for it. Plus, the CRC does prescribe reminds us that children are not yet regarded as a produc- that most attention has to be paid to understanding what tive part of society in their own regard - particularly across actually is in the best interest of the child. All results of cultural borders. Instead their “worth” is often measured any action taken also have to be verifiable and rectifiable only by their expected future economic potential. according to existing social and cultural norms. Thus, it ena- Nevertheless, especially in the Middle East, young people bles a diverse adaptation without losing the core focus of do make up the largest age group in most countries. In some the convention at all. societies they constitute up to 60% of the populace. Plus, Implementing universal children’s rights is a complex and young people are much more affected by structural social time consuming project. It implies innumerable tiny steps changes such as increasing poverty, migration, unemploy- many of them also taken by SEKEM: enabling schools for ment and exclusion from education. every child, fighting violence against children, giving birth In 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) certificates to all children, enabling children to practice their became the first legally binding international convention religion freely and articulate their thoughts and opinions to affirm human rights for all children. This convention has without fear of discrimination, to mention just a few issues. been ratified by 192 countries worldwide. However, partic- If a society is to benefit as a whole the struggle to secure ularly its aspect of intercultural universality has often lead prosperous livelihoods for children, satisfy their needs, and to heated debates. It has been frequently argued that it is a provide equal development opportunities has to enter into reflection of the Eurocentric perspective on childhood and a balance with other socially accepted basic needs. To cre- that it undermines cultural diversity and societal unique- ate an environment conducive to a great number of these ness. requirements remains a challenge in SEKEM as in any other In light of this assertion it might be valuable to take a closer society in the developing or the developed world. look at its drafting as well as its ratification process. The Ilka Stein

Page 6 Other News

Caravan of Music Visits The forming of the Alliance was the In the framework of the initiative result of a workshop organized jointly „RAISE YOUR VOICE“ the CEO of the the SEKEM Firms by the World Future Council (WFC) in SEKEM Group Helmy Abouleish now cooperation with its partners. employed the video sharing website On November 10th the firms on the YouTube to raise awareness about the Energy technology and policy solu- SEKEM Farm came to experience an urgency of the fight against climate tions for off-grid regions as well unusual artistic event: a “caravan of change. Featuring short clips depicting sustainable cooking solutions and music” paid a surprise visit to their individuals state their point of view on the need for a Rural Electrification offices and delighted the co-workers the issue, the initiative brings together Development Fund were discussed with an unexpected break from their the voices of renowned experts, art- after briefings on the energy situa- work routine: a live concert right next ists, and entrepreneurs. to their desks. About 20 pupils of the tion and energy policies in Ethiopia, SEKEM School and the same number Nigeria and . With YouTube SEKEM is using one exceedingly popular information chan- of teachers had supplied themselves For the inauguration of the Alliance nel that has recently become a col- with a mobile piano and a Tabla drum the participants drafted a common laboration medium through “video and set out to visit firms and facto- declaration. The Alliance agreed on answers” and “video comments” to ries. Bernhard Sieberer lead the choir, ten terms of reference for its future already published clips. Particularly accompanied the singers on the piano, work ranging from fostering energy young video producers use the site and conducted at the same time. The education and environmental infor- to make their voices heard by a glo- colleagues at ISIS, Naturetex, and mation for all levels of society to bal audience. YouTube currently Lotus were pleasantly surprised by the finding ways of creating investment logs about 1 billion video views per sounds that had been studied to per- security. The initial funding will be day. Many popular videos like the fection by the pupils. And the choir provided by the World Future Council „The Story of Stuff“ of US-based boys and girls were visibly enjoying Foundation. the experience, as our picture shows. Greenpeace activist Annie Leonard Source: World Future Council that illustrates the wasteful product Christina Boecker cycle of today’s convenience goods have been frequently made popular More information at: ! http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org for the first time through YouTube.

More information at: ! http://www.youtube.com/ SEKEM Employs Internet watch?v=WhMriRVdMh8 to Fight Climate Change http://www.storyofstuff.org

Boosting Renewable Energies in Africa Imprint:

Over the past years modern media Publisher: SEKEM, Egypt The editorial team of SEKEM Their aim is to speed up electrifica- such as the Internet have gradually Insight would like to thank tion and fight climate change at the developed from information reposi- all correspondents who have contributed to this edition. same time: Representatives from var- tories into collaborative instruments Editors: ious African countries recently estab- facilitating individual empowerment. Christina Boecker lished in Addis Ababa the African Websites and online applications of Bijan Kafi Renewable Energy Alliance (AREA). In the „Web 2.0“ age today allow millions Contact: SEKEM-Insight this Alliance, utilities, industry, policy- of people to work together with ease, c/o Sekem Holding makers and the civil society will work speed, and at very little costs across P.O.Box 2834 El Horreya, Heliopolis, together to boost the take-up of sus- political and natural borders. Cairo, Egypt tainable electrification and thermal power.

Page 7