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Objective |
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“Development cooperation, development and education in a new perspective” |
Lots of people in all countries have been organising a great deal in the field of development cooperation. Enormous flows of money have been activated from the rich west towards developing countries and lots of development-aid workers dedicate themselves to helping their poor fellow human beings. Business circles and private individuals have every opportunity to join the governments of the rich countries in financially supporting this form of cooperation. The question is whether all the public funds are spent effectively, however. Small-scale projects are generally supported to a great degree because the lines are shorter and the results are more manifest.
The ‘Sekem model’ is one of the successful forms of development cooperation. The Sekem organisation, in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, was founded in 1977 by Mr. Ibrahim Abouleish.
That's where he realised his vision: “creating an oasis in the middle of the desert, where people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds can live and work on the basis of an innovative development model.”
Sekem collaborates with approx. 150 farmers in Egypt and employs 2,000 people in Cairo. A lot of products, such as medicinal herb tea and creams, (dried) fruit, cotton and dairy products find their way to nature shops all over the world, via an extensive distribution network.
The founders of Elysium feel a bond with the vision of Mr. Ibrahim Abouleish and the objects of the Sekem organisation. That’s the reason why the Elysium estate has been made available for the formation, exploitation and development of a biodynamic farm where vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs are cultivated for the production of foods and medicines. This initiative creates job opportunities for the local population, while the proceeds of the work are invested in culture and schooling for children, women and men.
A good start of the biodynamic agriculture at Elysium will be the basis and starting point for future expansion and dissemination of knowledge and science.
