Ibrahim Abouleish
Encyclopedia
Ibrahim Abouleish began his chemistry and medicine studies at the age of 19 in Austria
. He did his doctorate in 1969 in the field of pharmacology and then worked in leading positions within pharmaceutical research. During this time he was granted patents for a number of new medicines, especially for osteoporosis
and arteriosclerosis
. During a visit to Egypt in 1975 he was caught by the deplorable economic and social conditions of his country of origin. In 1977 he returned to Egypt and founded the comprehensive development initiative SEKEM
.
SEKEM
developed as the first entity using biodynamic farming methods in Egypt. The organization has grown a lot from the beginning of the 1990s and is meanwhile the market leader for organic products and crop remedies. The organizations' commitment regarding innovative development has led to a widespread use of biodynamic methods in pest control and to the improvement of yields. They were one of the first to establish organic and biodynamic methods for growing cotton
.
In 2003, Ibrahim Abouleish and SEKEM received the Right Livelihood Award
(also known as the Alternative Nobel Prize) for integrating the commercial success with promotion of the social and cultural development of society. He was selected as an "Outstanding Social Entrepreneur" by the Schwab Foundation in 2004. In 2006 he was appointed as a councillor at the World Future Council
.
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. He did his doctorate in 1969 in the field of pharmacology and then worked in leading positions within pharmaceutical research. During this time he was granted patents for a number of new medicines, especially for osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered...
and arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis refers to a stiffening of arteries.Arteriosclerosis is a general term describing any hardening of medium or large arteries It should not be confused with "arteriolosclerosis" or "atherosclerosis".Also known by the name "myoconditis" which is...
. During a visit to Egypt in 1975 he was caught by the deplorable economic and social conditions of his country of origin. In 1977 he returned to Egypt and founded the comprehensive development initiative SEKEM
SEKEM
The organization SEKEM was founded in 1977 by the Egyptian pharmacologist and social entrepreneur Dr...
.
SEKEM
SEKEM
The organization SEKEM was founded in 1977 by the Egyptian pharmacologist and social entrepreneur Dr...
developed as the first entity using biodynamic farming methods in Egypt. The organization has grown a lot from the beginning of the 1990s and is meanwhile the market leader for organic products and crop remedies. The organizations' commitment regarding innovative development has led to a widespread use of biodynamic methods in pest control and to the improvement of yields. They were one of the first to establish organic and biodynamic methods for growing cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
.
In 2003, Ibrahim Abouleish and SEKEM received the Right Livelihood Award
Right Livelihood Award
The Right Livelihood Award, also referred to as the "Alternative Nobel Prize", is a prestigious international award to honour those "working on practical and exemplary solutions to the most urgent challenges facing the world today". The prize was established in 1980 by Jakob von Uexkull, and is...
(also known as the Alternative Nobel Prize) for integrating the commercial success with promotion of the social and cultural development of society. He was selected as an "Outstanding Social Entrepreneur" by the Schwab Foundation in 2004. In 2006 he was appointed as a councillor at the World Future Council
World Future Council
The World Future Council is an independent body formally founded in Hamburg, Germany on 10 May 2007. "Formed to speak on behalf of policy solutions that serve the interests of future generations", it includes members active in governmental bodies, civil society, business, science and the arts...
.