DOCSLIB.ORG

SEKEM Insight Nr

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

SEKEM‘s Journal for Economy, Culture and Society in Egypt SEKEM Insight Nr. �� March ���� News Events Business Dear Reader, Triodos, GLS Bank ��. Anniversiy of From Egyp�an fields much can be achieved alone. But invest in SEKEM Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish to Tokyo‘s shows li�le will last without percevering partners. Partnerships have a long tradi�on in SEKEM. We have repor- Triodos Bank, GLS Bank ted on them o�en, par�cularly on how the mul�ple interna�onal part- Invest in SEKEM Ini�a�ve ners have helped to realize the very large projects SEKEM has taken on Large-Scale Financial Investments Support over the past years. Especially the Longterm Business Development work of the SEKEM Development Founda�on (formerly Society for Cultural Development in Egypt) would ot be possible with their voluntary engagement. In our present-day world, social phil- antropy usually just doesn‘t com- pute. Naturally, we are primarily thinking of its economic dimension. There needs to be a flourishing eco- nomic life where human develop- ment is supposed to grow. It is clear that this can o�en lead to conflicts and constraints. A�er all, wasn‘t the original idea of „sustainability“ meant to crack the mould of old- style capitalism? There are other perspec�ves on the issue. Maybe we should remind ourselves more o�en that „eco- nomy“ ini�ally meant to „run the Peter Blom (Triodos Bank), Helmy Abouleish (SEKEM ) and Thomas Jorberg (GLS Bank) house“. Its linguis�c roots stem from the greek „oikos“ („house“) On occasion of the Biofach 2007 fair sive business development prin- and referred to the general idea in Nuremberg, the GLS Bank and ciples for an extended �me and for of keeping many more than just the Triodos Bank announced a far- several years in coopera�on with monetary interests in a stable and reaching expansion of their enga- SEKEM. They have contributed a frui�ul balance in order to allow for gement in the advancement of the substan�al part to SEKEM‘s suc- good condi�ons of human life. SEKEM Ini�a�ve. The two banks cessful development un�l today, will contribute to future invest- par�cularly to the double-digit SEKEM has just found two strong ments of the SEKEM Group added growth most SEKEM firms experi- partners in its work towards such to an overall immediate financial enced on average in the past years. an understanding of economics. We investment in shares of 2,5 million They have helped SEKEM to become will introduce them to our readers Euro per ins�tu�on. Both ins�tu�- the healthy business it is today. ons will furthermore receive one in this issue and wish the common Helmy Abouleish underligned his seat each on the board. future plans best of luck. excitement about the decision of The SEKEM Insight-Team The two banks have been working the two banks: „Both banks have on the founda�on of comprehen- been specializing in ‚green money‘. Con�nued on page � Page � Nr. �� | March ���� The comprehensive concept of their to 25 million overall in the coming The GLS Bank also offers the usual financial investments has and will con- years. As the SEKEM Group has seen banking services and addi�onally acts �nue to have a central importance in significant growth in recent years, it as a founda�on. Currently, the ins�- the development of SEKEM. Eventually, will have to increase its overall invest- tute finances about 4.000 projects. all of us are interested in more than ments in the future. Since its incep�on in 1980, the Triodos just money.“ „ Not only machines and tools will Bank also supports sustainable, social have to be purchased. The group will and financial goals in compliance We are proud to now being also have to make investments in with the connected more directly to infrastructures on the mother farm. „Three-Way- Furthermore, addi�onal funds will Principle“, that the SEKEM enterprise. allow for an increase in employee is investments numbers and investments into regu- in the interest Thomas Jorberg, Chairman of the GLS lar business materials. Par�cularly the of human life, Bank, welcomed the investment of the firms ISIS and ATOS will benefit from the environment and the economy. two leading ins�tu�ons for ecologi- the greater financial room for mano- It is an innova�ve, driving forcing in cally sound, socially aware and sustai- euvre available to them. Now SEKEM the sustainable banking business with nable investments: „We are proud to can commence with inves�ng more branches in the Netherlands, Belgium, deepen our coopera�on and that we in processing machinery, cooling and the United Kingdom, Spain and can now be connected more directly storage facili�es or new produc�on Germany. The Triodos Bank finances to the SEKEM enterprise.“ Peter Blom, plants for dried and fresh vegetables, enterprises that exhibit ecological, Chairman of the Triodos Bank, added: herbs and other products. social or cultural engagement. For „SEKEM shows that a firm can be sup- more than 10 years, the ins�tute has The two new financing partners are ported successfully by several part- been ac�ve also in private equity. The well-known beyond the borders ners. Together, we will make growth Triodos Bank Group currently finances of Europe for their ‚green invest- possible beyond former limits.“ around 4.000 projects. ment‘ interests. The GLS Bank, based Concrete plans for investment pro- in Bochum and Freiburg, Stu�gart, More informa�on on the two new part- jects are supposed to be formed and Hamburg and Frankfurt works exclu- ners of SEKEM and the future plans are realized in sively with ecologically sound, socially available online at: www.triodos.com the course aware and sustainable projects. One and www.gls.de. of 2007. The of the most important principles of Triodos Bank, GLS Bank, Bijan Kafi GLS Bank and the Bank‘s work is total transparency, the Triodos Bank will contribute in an par�cularly in the loans segment. even more substan�al way as in the past to investments that will amount Naturetex Now fairtrade-Cer�fied Cer�fica�on Process Completed for Successor of Conytex Nature Tex�les Brand SEKEMs successor company to of close and dependable partner- Conytex, Naturetex, has recently ship. Now, the new cer�fica�on can received fairtrade cer�fica�on from demonstrate even more clearly and the Fairtrade Labeling Organiza�on believably what that precisely means: (FLO) in Bonn as a processor and long-term guarantees for organic far- exporter of tex�les made from fair- mers at stable and guaranteed mini- trade co�on. The document now offi- mum prices that do not only cover cially cer�fies what has been a part their running costs but also allow for of SEKEM‘s business model for a long room for development, fair wages �me: the responsible and fair treat- for the employees of the tex�le pro- ment of employees and suppliers of duc�on plants and work condi�ons organic co�on. Furthermore, SEKEM including numerous opportuni�es for has always highlighted the level of Sewer in SEKEMs Firm Naturetex personal development through adult communica�on between processor educa�on or ar�s�c courses and free ducts are publicly accessible at www. and supplier as an important part from human exploita�on. fairtrade.net. of a healthy value chain, par�cularly through extensive social protec�on The criteria of fairtrade for the cul�- Chris�na Boecker schemes and a trus�ul coopera�on va�on and the processing of its pro- Page � Nr. �� | March ���� Double Anniversary Marks New Challenges Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish and SEKEM Ini�a�ve Celebrate Anniversaries Impressions from SEKEM The children from the SEKEM kinder- garten that walk in a colourful pro- cession across the stage of SEKEM‘s roman theatre on this picture are dressed according to classes and groups. The „uniform“ of the children is colou- red in a different way every year not only making the daily rou�ne in the school more enjoyable but also sup- por�ng a sense of connectedness and belonging. This way, such kind of clo- thing also helps teachers in their aim to posi�vely influence social cohesion in the classroom and avoid tension between poor and rich children. Dr. Abouleish among the crowds of employees and guests of SEKEM at his public anniversary celebra�ons Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish, founder of the With the 70th birthday of Dr. Abouleish SEKEM ini�a�ve and the chairman the SEKEM ini�a�ve itself celebrates of the SEKEM Group of companies its anniversary, too. Three decades un�l the present day, celebrated his ago, in 1977, the Round House that 70. anniversary on 23 April 2007. This today houses the guest house, served year, the event was celbrated publicly as the founding stone of the ini�a- as an open air event in the roman the- �ve that has in recent years grown to atre of SEKEM on its mother farm near more than 6 firms with approxima- Belbeis. tely 2.000 employees leading a great number of educa�onal and cultural The theatre was filled to the last place Kinder in farbiger Bekleidung der SEKEM Schule projects. Appropriately, today the on this day as hundreds of SEKEM Round House houses next to the guest employees, pupils and trainees had rooms also a centrally placed, lush arrived to celebrate together with garden place marking the spot where A colorful mixture of ar�s�c presenta- Dr. Abouleish what turned out to be the centre of the first of SEKEM‘s buil- �ons was on the agenda for the event.
Recommended publications
  • SEKEM Initiative (1977)

    SEKEM Initiative (1977)

    FACTSHEET Egypt – SEKEM Initiative (1977) IN BRIEF The SEKEM Initiative uses biodynamic agricultural methods to revitalize desert land and develop agricultural business in Egypt. The SEKEM mission entails a holistic approach focusing on agricultural production on farms, sustainable ecological ma- nagement, and enabling knowledge transfer, education and conscious consumption. Approximately 684 hectares of desert land have been reclaimed, of which 100% is operated by biodynamic agriculture methods; 477 farmers have been trained on bio- dynamic agriculture methods and registered under the Egyptian Biodynamic Associa- tion (EBDA). Today SEKEM is a leading social business worldwide overarching a group of companies and NGOs. The practice is transferable and since 2007, SEKEM has been working to create three new farms, with all infrastructure for sustainable development as in Belbeis. ABOUT THE PRACTICE AT A GLANCE Organisation: SEKEM Group (Company) Implemented in: Belbeis, Sharkeya (Egypt) Year: 1977 Beneficiaries: EKEM employees, small farmers working under the supervision of SEKEM, people living in surrounding villages benefiting from SEKEM schools, medical center, and vocational training center Topic(s): Production, processing, distribution, consumption, organic PROBLEMS TARGETED / CONTEXT The SEKEM Initiative was founded to realize the vision of sustainable human develop- ment and to tackle poverty, unemployment, food security, water and energy challen- ges, and gender inequality in Egypt. In Egypt agriculture involves 40% of the workforce and remains the least developed sector of the Egyptian economy. Cost of agricultural convened by EGYPT: SEKEM Initiative (1977) production has increased while the resource base has shrunk. Today, Egypt has become one of the world’s largest importers of food. Farmers in Egypt face a plethora of prob- lems, such as water-scarcity, over-reliance on chemical inputs and low productivity.
  • The Corona Crisis

    The Corona Crisis

    The Corona Crisis Some reflections by Kees Vendrik, 10 April 2020 The Corona Crisis The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in many countries around the globe is impacting societies profoundly. In the past few weeks, governments have proclaimed different restrictive measures from social distancing to an overall lockdown of social and economic activities with the aim – at least - to slow down the speed of spread of the virus. These containment policies are ultimately intended to avoid sudden and uncontrollable increases in the number of sick people and the demand for (intensive) care for people with frail health, which cannot be matched with adequate supply. Nobody knows if and to what extent these policies will be successful soon. A vital question is what level and intensity of social isolation is now requested: a total lockdown or a differentiated approach. Governments are setting policies almost daily. In China and a few Asian countries like South Korea restrictive measures have been softened, enabling people and business to resume activities. These countries are an exception. In many countries public life as we know it has come to a standstill, with empty streets, trains and offices, closed shops and schools and social life that is increasingly taking place via digital channels. It feels like a ‘Sunday-morning economy’. As the OECD recently said: ‘These shocks bring a double whammy: a halt in production in affected countries, hitting supply chains across the world, and a steep drop in consumption together with a collapse in confidence.’ Indeed, global value chains of many manufactured goods have been instantly disrupted.
  • RSF WAS FOUNDED on the CONCEPT of Service Through Finance for Social Benefit

    RSF WAS FOUNDED on the CONCEPT of Service Through Finance for Social Benefit

    rsf MARCH 31, 2005 QuarterlyAN IMPACT REPORT OF THE RUDOLF STEINER FOUNDATION’S ACTIVITIES IN THIS ISSUE RSF WAS FOUNDED ON THE CONCEPT of service through finance for social benefit. As we look back at 2004 and forge ahead into 2005, we find ourselves, our investors, donors, and RSF Facts at a Glance . 1 borrowers increasingly active and leading partners in the growth of social finance. We Projects Funded This have not only been visible via projects we fund and other activities, but also present at Quarter . 2 many important events that speak to a future in which the world works with money with President’s Letter 3 . a new consciousness. In this issue, we reflect back on 2004 in pictures, financial high- 2004 Year in Review . 4 – 8 lights, and select stories. Most notably, a letter from Mark Finser offers his insights into Stories of how RSF, through its donors, the year just past, and a sense of anticipation for the year ahead. But, we would be remiss investors, borrowers, and grant recipients, if we did not also keep you up to date on the positive impact we are having on the world have effected the lives of many through all of our programs. We hope you enjoy this issue of the RSF Quarterly and we Images and Linkages . 9 look forward to your continued interest. RSF 2004 Consolidated Financial Highlights . 10 New RSF Funds. 11 Creating Social Benefit Through Projects About RSF . 12 We Fund In this issue, we present a few stories of how RSF, through the support of donors, investors, and borrowers, has touched the lives of people around the world in 2004.
  • SEKEM Insight | Juli 2013 | Page 1 Economy

    SEKEM Insight | Juli 2013 | Page 1 Economy

    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.
  • Eurythmy the Word and Music in Movement

    Eurythmy the Word and Music in Movement

    Eurythmy The Word and Music in Movement The time is at hand! Dance to the Rhythms of Life! 100Ye a r s Celebration 1912 – 2012 Come and join us 8 –10 June 2012 Workshops • Demonstrations Lectures • Performances Constantia Waldorf School [email protected] Starts at 18.30! 021 797 6802 Dance to the Rhythms of Life We are delighted to celebrate a 100 years of Eurythmy. We believe this art of movement, which integrates Spirit with Matter, is able to contribute in the deepest possible sense towards the healthful con- tinuation of Universal Man. 2 100Ye a r s Celebration Programme The Time is at Hand! Free Entrance (donations welcome). Refreshments available on sale. Friday, 8th June Saturday, 9th June Sunday, 10th June 18.30 Welcome 09.00 Eurythmy ‘Prelude’ 09.00 Workshops ‘Eurythmy 1912 – 2012’ 09.30 Natalia Baker 10.15 Michael Merle and Alex Boraine: ‘Well-being in our Time’ ‘Eurythmy and the ‘A question of Identity’ 10.30 Tea six-fold Path’ 19.30 Eurythmy Performance 11.00 Workshops 11.00 Tea ‘The Time is at Hand!’ 12.30 Lunch 11.30 Eurythmy Performance Man’s Journey through 14.00 Children's Eurythmy ‘The Time is at Hand!’ the Epochs of Time Performance Man’s Journey through Interval 15.30 Tea the Epochs of Time Cello Concerto by A. Dvorák 16.00 Demonstration of Interval arranged for Piano, Flute Tone & Speech Eurythmy Cello Concerto by and Cello 17.15 Michael Merle: A. Dvorák ‘Man as a Being of the Word’ arranged for Piano, Guest Speakers: 18.15 Supper Flute and Cello Alex Boraine 19.30 Eurythmy Performance 13.30 Close Natalia Baker A Bouquet of Speech and Music Pieces – Various Artists Michael Merle Eurythmy100 years Cello `Concerto’ by Antonin Dvorák op 104 for Piano and Cello This concerto comprises three movements.
  • Sustainability Report 2011

    Sustainability Report 2011

    Profile of SEKEM’s Report on Sustainable Development 2011 The reporting period of the Report on Sustainable well, the hard facts in the Performance Report will update Development 2011 is January to December 2011 and thus them on the newest developments. continues the Sustainable Development story of the 2010 If not otherwise stated, the scope includes all SEKEM report that had been published at the end of August 2011. companies as of page 18-19, excluding SEKEM Europe SEKEM uses the report for communicating on all four and Predators. Where stated, the SEKEM Development dimensions of the Sustainable Development Flower including Foundation was included into the data. The basis for this the financial statement. report is mainly deduced from certified management and In this fifth Report on Sustainable Development, some changes quality management systems. We aimed to ensure that the were made regarding the structure. We have separated the data and information provided in this report is as accurate descriptive part of our approach to sustainable development as possible. Wherever data is based on estimations and/or from the annual hard facts. This was done to make the other limitations apply, this is indicated. In cases of significant information more accessible for all readers. For those just changes, these are described directly in the context. getting to know what SEKEM is all about, reading the first part A detailed index of the information requested by the GRI will be a good start. For those who already know SEKEM quite 3 and the Communication on Progress (CoP) of the UN Global Compact is provided at page 84 to 92.
  • COMPLETE BACKLIST and ORDER FORM January 2013 Backlist By

    COMPLETE BACKLIST and ORDER FORM January 2013 Backlist By

    COMPLETE BACKLIST and ORDER FORM January 2013 Oliphant, Laurence and Meyer, T.H. (Ed) When a Stone Begins to Roll: Notes Backlist by of an Adventurer, Diplomat & Mystic: Contents Extracts from Episodes in a Life of Backlist by subject subject Adventure 2011 | 204 x 126 mm | 160pp | LIN Non-Fiction 978-158420-091-8 | paperback | £9.99 Mind Body Spirit 1 NON-FICTION Ouspensky, P. D. Holistic Health 2 Strange Life of Ivan Osokin: A Novel MIND BODY SPIRIT 2002 | 220 x 140 mm | 192pp | LIN Organics, Biodynamics 3 978-158420-005-5 | paperback | £12.99 Christian Spirituality 3 Allen, Jim Bible 4 Atlantis: Lost Kingdom of the Andes Pogacnik, Marko 2009 | 240 x 208 mm | 100 colour illustrations | 240pp | FLO Gaia’s Quantum Leap: A Guide to Living World Spirituality 5 978-086315-697-7 | paperback | £16.99 through the Coming Earth Changes Celtic Spirituality 5 2011 | 215 x 234 mm | 228pp | LIN Baum, John 978-158420-089-5 | paperback | £12.99 Science & Spirituality 5 When Death Enters Life Steiner-Waldorf Education 7 2003 | 216 x 138 mm | 144pp | FLO Pogacnik, Marko and Pogacnik, Ana Steiner-Waldorf 978-086315-389-1 | paperback | £9.99 How Wide the Heart: The Roots of Peace Drake, Stanley and van Breda, Peter (Ed) in Palestine and Israel Teacher Resources 7 2007 | 256 x 134 mm | 60 b/w photographs | 216pp | LIN Special Needs Education 8 Though You Die: Death and 978-158420-039-0 | paperback | £14.99 Life Beyond Death Karl König Archive 8 2002 | 198 x 128 mm | 4th ed | 128pp | FLO Pogacnik, Marko Art & Architecture 8 978-086315-369-3 | paperback | £6.99 Sacred Geography: Geomancy: Language & Literature 8 Elsaesser-Valarino, Evelyn Co-creating the Earth Cosmos 2008 | 234 x 156 mm | 194 b/w illustrations | 248pp | LIN Philosophy 8 Talking with Angel: About Illness, 978-158420-054-3 | paperback | £14.99 Child Health & Development 13 Death and Survival 2005 | 216 x 138 mm | 208pp | FLO Pogacnik, Marko Children’s Books 978-086315-492-8 | paperback | £9.99 Turned Upside Down: A Workbook Picture & Board Books 14 Finser, Siegfried E.
  • Society Anthroposophy Worldwide 12/17

    Society Anthroposophy Worldwide 12/17

    General Anthroposophical Society Anthroposophy Worldwide 12/17 ■ Anthroposophical Society Preliminary invitation to the 2018 December 2017 • N° 12 Annual Members’ Conference at the Goetheanum Anthroposophical Society What do we build on? 1 2018 Annual Members’ Meetings «What do we build on?» will be the motif of a conference to which the Executive Coun- 3 2017 Christmas Appeal cil and Goetheanum Leadership would like to warmly invite all members. The confer- 16 Christmas Community and ence will form part of the Annual Meeting and agm at the Goetheanum from 22 to 25 General Anthroposophical March 2018. Issues discussed will include future perspectives of the Anthroposophical Society Colloquium Society and a new approach to this annual gathering of members. 18 General Secretaries Conference 19 Italy: Youth Conference Seeking We would like to call your attention at this Our-Selves early date to the Members’ Conference 20 Footnotes to Ein Nachrichtenblatt which will be held just before Easter 2018. 20 Newssheets: ‹being human› As part of the development the Goethea- 24 Obituary: Hélène Oppert num is undergoing at present, the Annual 23 Membership News Conference as we know it and the agm, which is included in the Annual Conference, Goetheanum are also intended to be further developed 4 The Goetheanum in Development and newly designed. Discussions will fo- 5 Communication cus on future perspectives for the Anthro- 5 The Goetheanum Stage posophical Society and the continuation of the Goetheanum World Conference at School of Spiritual Science Michaelmas 2016. We would like to pres- 6 Youth Section ent the 2018 Members’ Conference as an 7 Natural Science Section event where members come together in The Members’ Conference: a place for 8 Humanities Section dialogue and conversation and rejoice in meetings and conversations (2016 9 Pedagogical Section meeting one another.
  • Banks' Climate Commitment 2020

    Banks' Climate Commitment 2020

    Banks’ climate commitment 2020 Insight into measurement methods and climate actions of the banking sector The Dutch financial sector (banks, pension funds, insurers and asset managers) contributes extensively to the government’s climate objectives. These climate objectives were drawn up to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 49% in 2030 compared to 1990 in a cost-effective way. More than 50 financial institutions have committed themselves to report on the climate impact of their relevant financing and investments activities from the 2020 financial year onwards. Moreover, financial institutions will announce their action plans and reduction targets that contribute to the Paris Agreement by no later than 2022. Banks have taken up the challenge energetically, both individually and as a sector. This overview presents examples of joint initiatives from the banking sector. The overview also provides examples of how different banks are already utilising measurement methods. As recently demonstrated, more than half of the financial institutions that signed the Climate Commitment already (partially) report CO2 emissions. Finally, the overview presents examples of the efforts of individual banks. 2021 will see the publication of a sector report that will provide more insight into the financial sector as a whole. Examples of joint initiatives in the banking sector • With the Sustainable Housing Sector Collective, mortgage advisers are offered a Sustainable Housing Adviser training course to better promote the importance of making people's homes sustainable. • The Climate Risk Working Group, united under the Sustainable Finance Platform, published an anthology in which they describe how they manage climate risks in their portfolios and the major insights and challenges involved.
  • Helmy Abouleish – CEO SEKEM Group About Helmy Born 1961 in Austria, Helmy Abouleish Moved to Egypt with His Family When He Was 16 Years Old

    Helmy Abouleish – CEO SEKEM Group About Helmy Born 1961 in Austria, Helmy Abouleish Moved to Egypt with His Family When He Was 16 Years Old

    Helmy Abouleish Version 01-17 Helmy Abouleish – CEO SEKEM Group About Helmy Born 1961 in Austria, Helmy Abouleish moved to Egypt with his family when he was 16 years old. The son of Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish studied at the Faculty of Commerce of Cairo University Business Administration and owns a Marketing Diploma of American University in Cairo. He was deeply involved in the development of SEKEM and engaged in the national and international politic sphere fostering responsible competitiveness, social entrepreneurship and the abatement of the huge problems of the 21st century, such as climate change and food security. Helmy Abouleish is currently the CEO of the SEKEM Group of Companies. What are the main benefits of Sustainable and Biodynamic agriculture in Egypt? 3 Questions Problems like food insecurity, water scarcity, climate change etc., pose enormous challenges for to Helmy Egypt that cannot be solved by politics alone. SEKEM stands up to these challenges by embracing a private-economic and civilian approach. Biodynamic agricultural methods enhance climate change adaptation of the plants and the farm as a whole, while they also substantially promote to mitigate climate change through an increased soil carbon sequestration rate. The sponge structure of the compost increases the waterholding capacity, which in turn decreases water consumption by up to 40% compared to conventional agriculture. Besides, food security is promoted through the provision of healthy foodstuffs. The lack of chemicals and the premium of Organic produce added to the regular market-price increase the income for farmers, provide them a healthy environment and most important, ensure that their soil is built up and stays fertile in the long run instead of short term profits and leaching out the soils.
  • Triodos Bank to Join Energy Efficient Mortgage Label

    Triodos Bank to Join Energy Efficient Mortgage Label

    PRESS RELEASE Triodos Bank to join Energy Efficient Mortgage Label Brussels, 02 July 2021 – For immediate release _____________________________ The Energy Efficient Mortgages Label is pleased to welcome Triodos Bank ( Triodos Belgium – Triodos Netherlands – Triodos Spain) as new member of the Initiative. Active in five European countries with EUR 20 bn of assets under management, Triodos Bank is a leading expert in sustainable banking. Its mission is to make money work for positive change. For many years now, the bank has been taking into consideration the carbon footprint of its loans and investments and of its own activities, publicly reporting on C02 emissions. Triodos Bank opened an energy-neutral office in 2019 in the Netherlands. Acting as a clear and transparent quality benchmark for consumers, lenders and investors, the EEM Label actively demonstrates the commitment of the financial sector to achieve European climate targets, resolutely contributing to the development of sustainable investments through Energy Efficient mortgage loans, and ensuring that the Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is ‘green’ and therefore brings support to the NextGenerationEU vision. Finally, the EEM Label is aligned with legal and market best practices and therefore establishes itself as a global reference from the perspective of lending institutions and institutional investors, ensuring transparency on asset portfolios and privileged access to qualitative and quantitative information. Commenting on this, EEM Label Administrator, Luca Bertalot said: “ The membership of Triodos Bank to the EEM Label is a positive signal sent by the market, that sustainable and responsible loans and investments should have a positive impact on society and the planet.
  • Goetheanum Content

    Goetheanum Content

    General Anthroposophical Society 2005/2006 Goetheanum Content 3 Editorial The Anthroposophical Society 4 Theme of the year 2006/2007 4 Anthroposophical Society in Romania 5 Membership development School of Spiritual Science 6 General Anthroposophical Section 7 Natural Science Section 7 Section for Mathematics and Astronomy 8 Medical Section 8 Pedagogical Section 9 Section for the Art of Eurythmy, Speech, Drama and Music 9 Section for the Literary Arts and Humanities 9 Section for Agriculture 10 Youth Section 11 Section for the Social Sciences 11 Art Section The Goetheanum 12 Eurythmy Ensemble at the Goetheanum 12 Developments at the Goetheanum 13 Financial report 2005/2006 16 Contacts and addresses Publishing details Publisher: General Anthroposophical Society. Text and interviews: Wolfgang Held (General Anthroposophical Section: Bodo v. Plato, Robin Schmidt, Heinz Zimmermann; Section for Mathematics and Astronomy: Oliver Conradt; Section for the Literary Arts and Humanities: Martina Maria Sam; Financial report 2005/06: Cornelius Pietzner). Editorial: Wolfgang Held, Cornelius Pietzner, Bodo v. Plato. Layout: Christian Peter, Parzifal Verlag (CH). Printer: Kooperative Dürnau (DE). Editorial Editorial Dear members and friends of the Anthroposophical Society, The Anthroposophical Society is growing. By that we do not primarily mean the membership numbers which have remained largely steady in recent years – with the exception of countries outside Europe – but rather the char- acter of the Society. It is the human diversity, the spiritual yearnings and abil- ities of the members which have grown in dimension. It is because everyone who is active in the Anthroposophical Society today contributes their expe- rience and opportunities from varied cultural perspectives and different parts of the world to the Anthroposophical Society so that the life and way of work- ing within the Society is becoming more open and diverse.