Ibrahim Abouleish, MD, PhD
- Alternative Nobel Prize Laureate (The Right Livelihood Award), Sweden
- The Medal of Merit of the German Government
- Founder of SEKEM
Born in Egypt in 1937, Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish moved to Austria in 1956. He studied chemistry and medicine at the University of Graz, Austria, receiving his Ph.D. in 1969. Thereafter he engaged in medical research, and was Head of Division for medical research until 1977. In 1975, on a visit to Egypt, he became aware of its pressing problems in education, overpopulation and pollution. In 1977 he decided to establish a comprehensive development initiative, SEKEM.
Taking its name from the hieroglyphic transcription meaning “vitality,” Sekem was the first entity to develop biodynamic farming methods in Egypt. Its strong commitment to innovative development led to the nationwide application of biodynamic methods to control pests and improve crop yields. However, Sekem is not just an agricultural enterprise. It believes that sustainable profit making should go hand-in-hand with an integrated socio-economic business model, providing employees and farming communities throughout the country the opportunity to improve their education, health and quality of life.
FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN NON-GOVERNMENTAL AND NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
1984 Chairman of the “Sekem Development Foundation”
1994 Chairman of the “Egyptian Biodynamic Association “
1999 Chairman of the “Heliopolis Academy for Applied Arts and Science”
2000 Chairman of the “Cooperative of Sekem Employees”
2005 Chairman of the “Abouleish Foundation"
2007 Founder of the “World Future Council”
2009 Founder of the “Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development”
COMPANIES FOUNDED
1977 LOTUS Company for medicinal herbs
1986 ATOS PHARMA for natural pharmaceuticals
1988 LIBRA for biodynamic cultivation of all crops in Egypt
1996 HATOR for packing fresh fruits and vegetables
1997 ISIS for production of processed organic foodstuff
1998 NATURETEX for manufacturing organic textiles
2000 SEKEM Holding
2005 MIZAN for organic seedlings
2007 ECOTEC Holding for facilitate sustainable industrial development
2007 SEKEM for Land reclamation
PRIZES AND AWARDS:
2015 Land for Life Award from United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification
2012 “Business for Peace Award” by Oslo Business for Peace Foundation
2011 German Environmental Management Association B.A.U.M. award for commitment for environmental protection and sustainable development
2010 Honorary Doctorate awarded by Technical University of Graz
2008 The Medal of Merit of the German Government
2008 “Ethics in Business Award for Outstanding Individual” of the European Parliament
2005 Honorary Doctorate awarded by University of Graz.
2004 Award for Outstanding Medical Performance by the Egyptian Medical Syndicate
2004 Award for Outstanding Drug Research Performance by the Egyptian Health Ministry
2003 Alternative Nobel Prize Laureate (The Right Livelihood Award), Sweden
2003 Outstanding Social Entrepreneur 2003 by the Schwab Foundation, Switzerland
1999 Medal of Honour from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, for outstanding scientific Research, Egypt
