Face of the Future: Karim Shukr

Focused and driven, yet without losing his sense of fun and adventure, Karim Shukr is definitely a Syrian worth watching out for. Currently the managing editor of Happynings, a social, lifestyle, and luxury magazine, he has the daunting yet rewarding task of coordinating every aspect of this newcomer on the Syrian publishing scene.

“Happynings is receiving wonderful feedback, and the dedicated team is doing a great job,” says Shukr. “Two things in particular really work for Happynings: It’s published by Haykal Media, and is a supplement to FW: Magazine. With such wonderful backers, it’s really helping improve our presence and visibility.
During his baccalaureate year, he attended the Syrian Modern School, under principal Rana Baitamouni, now principal of the Syrian National School (al-Wataniah), a great influence in his life; it was she who suggested that he should be focusing on an arts baccalaureate, rather than the science diploma he had intended to study for. “I’m really glad she did that,” said Shukr. “Ultimately, it was the right decision.”
Dedicated to all forms of media, it was during this last year of high school that Shukr came up with the idea for a school magazine. Receiving encouragement and help from Baitamouni, he went on to organize the media club that would run the magazine, and published the first edition of “Soriati”(My Syria) in 2004, the first and only high school magazine in Syria.
Shukr was first introduced to Abdulsalam Haykal, head of Haykal Media, as part of an interview for Soriati covering his activities with SYEA. Shukr was immediately excited by Haykal’s work with SYEA, and his publishing plans, culminating later that year in “al-Iqtissad wal Naql”(now “al-Iqtissadi”), and soon established a friendship with the young entrepreneur. After high school, Shukr chose media studies and journalism at Damascus University, and it was during this time that Haykal commissioned Shukr to publish a supplement for al-Iqtissadi called “Roowad al-Shabab”(Youth Pioneers), a guide for young entrepreneurs and CEOs in Syria. “I was honored and excited by this huge responsibility,” says Shukr. “I relished the challenge of putting out this supplement.”
It was the beginning of bigger and greater things. Now fully responsible for a full-blown magazine, his duties at Happynings continue to challenge him and whet his appetite for more. Although he is intending to travel to do his master’s in media management at Westminster University, Syria is his home, and he believes in the potential of this country too much to leave for too long. “I do believe my chances are in my country,” says Shukr. “There is so much potential here. Syria needs a change, and we, its people, need to start this change.”
Did you ever live abroad? If yes, were did you live?
Not yet, but I’m planning to travel to get my master’s. 
What was your first paying job?
It was not actually a job; I got paid for the first time after founding the magazine at my high school, it was more like a motivation prize.  
What is the achievement you dream of establishing?
Establishing a media group that has a full package of media services for every news paper/ magazine it is publishing. Also, I do dream of opening a unique restaurant; I have a great passion for cooking and hospitality.  
What is the one thing or thought that troubles you and keeps you awake and thinking at night?
I have a permanent fear that I will turn 45 years old and won’t have achieved my dreams yet. 
Looking through your life, who is the one person that influenced you the most and why?
My mother Hala Atassi who guided me from the beginning because of her long experience in media and NGO’s; my friend and mentor Abdulsalam Haykal; and my high school principal, Rana Beitamoni. 
Looking through Syria’s past and present, who is the figure you admire the most?
Former Prime Minister Khalid al-Azm, he was a great independent politician; believed in democracy, worked on a national independent policy and against the foreign domination, also he worked hard to develop the Syrian economy and separate it from the Lebanese one.  
A goal you would like to achieve this year?
This year the goal was to launch “Happynings” magazine, and I’m looking forward for my 2009 goals.  
If you could, what one thing would you change in Syrian society?
Syrians needs to be convinced that they can change; we must spread the changing spirit over the society we live in.