The annual meeting of the „International Association for Ecology and Partnership in Trade“ (IAP) took place in mid January at SEKEM. The IAP was founded in 1996 as a cooperation forum for SEKEM and its European business partners who are particularly committed to the holistic development of organic farming and fair global collaboration among producers, resellers, and intermediary partners. This time, nine IAP members and some other guests again discussed issues of fair and sustainable trade between the global North and South. Plus, there was a panel discussion on the topic of Islam and a trip to the old city of Cairo.
Finally, the IAP team visited the Heliopolis University and participated in a forum event where it faced the questions of the students on the importance and difficulties of organic farming. In addition, the successful and experienced pioneers of the global organic movement, recounted the stories of their own beginnings in sustainable development and agriculture through inspiring and motivating speeches.
Incidentally, in addition to the long-term IAP friends, there was also a new face among the group: Nazim Shivji. Nazim has been working to spread Demeter agriculture in Uganda for the past two years on his own farm.