Culture and Principles of Equity and Gender Equality as a Basis of Holistic Sustainable Development at SEKEM, Egypt

Abstract

AbstractInspired by the early twentieth century Anthroposophy of Rudolph Steiner, the SEKEM initiative was founded in 1977 in Belbeis, Egypt. The community life is based on values of human dignity and the unfolding of every human’s own potential. Ecological and ethical principles are the guideline of all economic endeavours at SEKEM. This was achieved through restoring and revitalizing degraded land in applying biodynamic organic agriculture, and by developing the community through arts and culture while establishing an ethical and diverse society. Today, 684 ha are restored with more than 2,000 people living, working and developing the mission. “Creating out of nothing”, a new SEKEM community is being developed in Wahat by fertilization of desert soil in Egypt’s Western Desert. In 2017, after 40 years of development, SEKEM has designed 18 sustainable vision goals for 2057. They are slightly more detailed, otherwise identical to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We review the holistic sustainable approach at SEKEM, combining ecological management, economic growth, development of human growth, education and culture of equality as parts of societal responsible engagement. Visible parts are the SEKEM Development Foundation, with nursery, school and school for children with special needs, a Medical Centre, the Heliopolis-University with focus on sustainability, Carbon Footprint Centre, Egyptian Biodynamic Association for the training of organic and biodynamic agriculture, and the holistic “Economy of Love” label, which reaches beyond the social aspects of the “Fair Trade” label. Developing the social and cultural life, principles of equality and empowerment of women are all key to the ecological and economic successes achieved here. We present important underlying parameters and activities, such as: unfolding the individual potential, lifelong learning, shaping of future generations to gain collective responsibility, and the integration of art.KeywordsHolistic sustainable developmentUnfolding individual potentialCollective responsibilityArt in educationEconomy of loveSEKEM Egypt