Ibrahim Abouleish (23 March 1937 – 15 June 2017) was an Egyptian philanthropist, drug designer and chemist. He 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 Arteriosclerosis is the thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries. This process gradually restricts the blood flow to one's organs and tissues and can lead to severe health risks brought on by atherosclerosis, which ...

. In 1977 he returned to Egypt and founded the comprehensive development initiative SEKEM. The organisation began using biodynamic farming methods in Egypt, successfully demonstrating a model for

sustainable agriculture Sustainable agriculture is farming in sustainable ways meeting society's present food and textile needs, without compromising the ability for current or future generations to meet their needs. It can be based on an understanding of ecosystem ser ...

on arid desert lands without requiring irrigation. Abouleish later expanded SEKEM to include a

Waldorf school Waldorf education, also known as Steiner education, is based on the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy. Its educational style is holistic, intended to develop pupils' intellectual, artistic, and practical ...

, a medical center, various businesses, and adult education initiatives ranging from

vocational training Vocational education is education that prepares people to work as a technician or to take up employment in a skilled craft or trade as a tradesperson or artisan. Vocational Education can also be seen as that type of education given to an in ...

to the establishment of Heliopolis University. He was selected as an "Outstanding

Social Entrepreneur Social entrepreneurship is an approach by individuals, groups, start-up companies or entrepreneurs, in which they develop, fund and implement solutions to social, cultural, or environmental issues. This concept may be applied to a wide range of ...

" by the Schwab Foundation in 2004. In 2006 he was appointed as a councillor at the

World Future Council The World Future Council (WFC) is a German non-profit foundation with its headquarters in Hamburg. It works to pass on a healthy and sustainable planet with just and peaceful societies to future generations. FuturePolicy.org The website f ...

. In 2012, Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish was appointed an Oslo Business for Peace Honouree, receiving his award at Oslo City Hall, from The Business for Peace Foundation. In 2013 he received the http://www.globalthinkersforum.org/ Global Thinkers Forum 2013 Award for Excellence in Positive Change. In 2003, he was awarded the Right Livelihood Award for "a 21st century business model which combines commercial success with social and cultural development."

References

External links

* Biography o
Right Livelihood Award website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abouleish, Ibrahim 1937 births 2017 deaths Egyptian scientists Egyptian chemists Social entrepreneurs Anthroposophists