As you are aware, we at DMG support various community projects and non-profit institutions. Today, we'd like to introduce you to a very special project in Egypt called the SEKEM project.
Holistic sustainability
The non-profit SEKEM project was founded in 1977 north of Cairo, on the edge of the desert. The vision: sustainable development through a holistic approach where ecology, economy, society and culture are given equal consideration.
Since then, the SEKEM project has grown to include a hospital with a dental centre, a school with 500 pupils, a kindergarten and a school for children with disabilities.
In 2012, SEKEM also founded the Heliopolis University in Cairo. The non-profit private educational institution is host to 3,000 students and runs numerous exemplary model projects, such as a biological wastewater treatment plant, a photovoltaic system that provides electricity and a botanical garden.
Alternative Nobel Prize for exemplary commitment
In 2003, SEKEM and its founder Dr Ibrahim Abouleish received the prestigious “Right Livelihood Award”. This award is also known as the Alternative Nobel Prize. The award committee underlined the fact that “SEKEM shows how a modern business model, profitability and success in global markets can be successfully coupled with respect for the environment and a humane and spiritual approach.”
During that same year, Dr Abouleish was honoured by the Schwab Foundation as one of the world’s most outstanding social entrepreneurs. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) also supports the SEKEM initiative.
Spotlight on oral hygiene
The SEKEM dental facility aims to provide good dental care to 2,500 employees and many people in the neighbourhood. Dr Theo Römer, a dentist from Oststeinbek (near Hamburg), provides assistance and is regularly on site. To improve the dental care provided, Dr Römer also holds impression courses for the local dental clinic team.
We are pleased to be supporting SEKEM’s commitment to dentistry with our materials.
To find out more about SEKEM, please visit: www.sekem.com