SEKEM Insight | Juli 2013 | Page 1 Economy
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Nr. 130 - Juli 2013 Insight SEKEM‘s Journal for Culture, Economy, Society and Ecology in Egypt Solar Energy Coworker Circles Deutsche Welle First Conference Why People Meet Contribution by Dr. Editorial in Egypt at SEKEM Ibrahim Abouleish Dear Readers, First Solar Thermal Conference many of those who have visited at the Heliopolis University Egypt early during the last decade will likely remember the days International experts from many fields discuss Egypt’s solar future when gasoline was cheaper than at the first event of its kind at the Heliopolis University. bottled water. Since then, much has changed. The government has gradually reduced subsidies on fossil fuels. But social prob- lems have grown in tandem in many places, not just Cairo. Many people such as Cairo’s taxi drivers depend on the fuel for more than just a comfortable journey from A to B. SEKEM has been trying to reduce its companies’ dependence on fossil fuels and to increase the share of renewable energies it consumes as well as produces for a long time. At the same time we want to set an example of how things might work differently in a “greener” world. Egypt lacks the „know how“ that just is not so easily available in a country where relatively cheap oil is still Horst Striessnig explaining the Mediterrano solar thermal collector, relatively plentiful. The first Solar which was especially designed for desert environments. Thermal Conference, held these days at the Heliopolis University n June 11th, a number of high- four crucial aspects of truly sustaina- represents a further step on the O profile speakers and partici- ble development: balance of economy, road to the goal of a more sustain- pants from the public and private ecology, culture and politics. able energy supply in Egypt. You sector came together at SEKEM’s new will read about it in this issue. independent education institution, The first speaker, Mrs. Giovanna the Heliopolis University, to discuss Ceglie (UNIDO representative) intro- duced her organisation’s goals, spark- Egypt’s solar energy future. ing a vibrant discussion about Egypt Your Team of Editors transitioning from a fossil into a After a musical introduction on the renewable energy age. piano by an invited artist, Dr. Ibrahim Find SEKEM also on the Internet at: Abouleish opened the solar thermal Prof. Adel Khalil (Cairo University) energy conference, explaining the enlightened the audience about SEKEM Insight | Juli 2013 | Page 1 Economy The last speaker in session A, Jürgen Video Documentation of Granditz (BFI Austria) presented the German SEKEM Events concept of the BFI’s vocational training programs. Having qualified installers, Available Online welders, electricians and plumbers is crucial for building a high-quality solar energy market in Egypt. In Session B Horst Striessnig and Werner Pink (Pink Storage Technologies) presented a best prac- Conference participants after the solar thermal tice solar energy storage solution energy demo plant at SEKEM’s main farm. which they designed and implemented at SEKEM’s main farm. Egypt‘s solar energy potential, Khaled Gasser (SEDA - Solar Energy emphasizing the need for establishing Development Association) gave an Helmy Abouleish speaks at the SEKEM Day 2012, the video documentation a culture of quality in education and insight into his organisation’s activ- of which is now available online. research in Egypt. ities which include political lobby- ing, capacity building and awareness The next speaker, Mrs. Birgit raising. n 20 April 2013 of this year the Birnstingl from Austria, (CEO of SEKEM annual SEKEM Day was held in The final speaker in session A, Axel O Energy) presented SEKEM’s new solar Stuttgart, Germany. Several months thermal demonstration plant which is Ceglie discussed finance options for earlier, co-workers from the German situated at the main farm near Belbeis, solar energy systems in Egypt for SEKEM support association had also 50km outside of Cairo. It was built example in the field of agriculture, tak- contributed to designing the 2013 with support by the ADA (Austrian ing into account technical issues such Development Agency). The generous as maintenance and fluctuating solar Stuttgart „Cairo Days“. Friends of the funding made it possible for not only radiation. European SEKEM support groups have SEKEM but Egypt as such making a big now produced three videos of the After a networking lunch partici- leap forward in demonstrating that events and made these publicly avail- pants took the opportunity to visit this kind of energy supply is particu- able on YouTube (in German). SEKEM Energy’s solar thermal dem- larly viable in a sun-rich environment onstration system, which provides hot All videos are available on the like Egypt. water for industrial purposes, for the channel of the SEKEM Initiative at After these inspiring presenta- main SEKEM farm near Belbeis. The the address below. The video for the field trip also included a short tour tions, speakers and participants had SEKEM Day 2012 contains a summary of the farm and its companies, voca- a chance to share ideas over coffee of the event and an interview with tional training centre (VTC), schools and fresh organic fruit, kindly spon- Helmy Abouleish. The video for the sored by the UNIDO, before spreading and medical centre. Stuttgart “Cairo Days” contains inter- into two sessions according to their Solar energy experts Werner, Horst views with participants and speak- interests. and Birgit explained the solar energy ers and vividly summarizes the lively system components to the partici- In session A Mohamed Salah El event that attracted a great number of pants, who showed a keen interest, Sobki (Cairo University) elaborated visitors. closely inspecting the whole system on the factors influencing RE develop- and asking many intelligent questions. The German SEKEM support group ment in Egypt and presented possible has also made available Helmy scenarios for integrating solar ther- Overall it was a fruitful and inform- mal into conventional thermal power ative day for the conference partici- Abouleish’s speech on innovation stations. pants, speakers and organisers and of at the Heliopolis University from the course a perfect opportunity for net- SEKEM Day 2013. All film clips are The following speaker Ashraf Kraidy working and discovering synergies for available at http://www.youtube.com/ (RCREEE – the Regional Centre for future projects and collaborations. SEKEMinitiative. Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency) introduced SHAMCI (Solar Heater Arab Kimberley Ellis Bijan Kafi Mark & Certification Initiative) and stressed the importance of quality cri- More information: More information: teria in order to re-establish consumer ! http://www.egatsolar.com ! http://www.youtube.com/ trust in SHW systems. [email protected] SEKEMinitiative SEKEM Insight | Juli 2013 | Page 2 Culture Organic Halal Meat Now Why People Meet in Circles Available in The Netherlands at the SEKEM Initiative At SEKEM, co-workers, pupils, and other members of the hen I met Dr. Abouleish for the community meet in circles every morning to begin the day together. This article explains why they do so. W first time seven years ago, he drew my attention to verses of the Quran, which emphasize the impor- EKEM is a multicultural society outskirts of Cairo. These circles are a tance of human respectfulness S that encompasses a number of part of SEKEM’s programmes for com- towards the holy nature and for its eco- nationalities. Its aim is, among others, munity advancement and one of the logical balance. Here it is said, among to improve the exchange of experience prime examples of what new co-work- other things, in the Sura ar-Rahman and the flow of knowledge needed to ers often find most startling at first 5-8: „The sun and the moon follow face the challenges of today‘s world and then quickly grow very fond of. premeditated courses. The herbs and with more sustainable solutions that the trees bow down in adoration. He The morning circle that is actually a address all of man’s needs for a digni- has raised high the firmament, and fied life. SEKEM aims to never focus on number of circles large and small tak- He has set the balance so you do not the economic dimension alone. These ing place at the same time in multiple transgress.” solutions are aimed at making an places is primarily an instrument to facilitate mutual awareness through active contribution to improving the From this point on, I have tried to face-to-face encounters. Here, co- lives of individuals, their communities, promote the idea among Muslims in workers are given the opportunity to and the environment in the long-term the Netherlands that reducing their and in a future-oriented manner. give a brief report on their work and to point out what they have planned carbon footprint should be part of SEKEM intends to promote this sus- for the day. Central to the event is the their Islamic way of life. Although all tainable development in a number of awareness of each other of all co-work- Muslims know these verses, many do different areas. These include scien- ers at a specific facility or in a given not understand their meaning in this tific, economic, social and cultural con- department. It helps to form a sense sense. However, when it comes to texts and the balance between all of of community and an experience of meat they easily agree that large-scale them. For example, SEKEM attempts to belonging. It also promotes good com- factory farming does not comply with directly address the cultural and social munication and clear daily structure. the rules of „halal“ (Arabic for „what is lives of SEKEM co-workers through So do the weekly staff meetings: every allowed“), a term that refers to ritually training and other advancement pro- week the “Monday forum” also pro- slaughtered meat.