Youssef Shalakamy Announces Launch of Be Different Program

Empowering Arab youth with life skills and leadership to combat modern-day challenges.

Cairo, Egypt, 2nd Aug 2025- Youssef Shalakamy, a recognized youth development strategist and corporate leader at Amazon, has officially announced the launch of the Be Different program, a youth-focused initiative designed to equip school and university students across the Arab region with life skills, leadership development, and mindset training. The announcement marks a pivotal step in addressing the growing personal and professional development needs of Arab youth.

Designed to be both practical and accessible, the Be Different program introduces students to vital tools such as resilience, digital literacy, growth mindset, and emotional intelligence—skills not commonly taught in traditional education systems. Through this launch, Shalakamy aims to tackle long-standing issues faced by young people, including self-doubt, bullying, career anxiety, and social pressure in a hyper-connected world.

Program Announcement Reflects New Regional Commitment to Student Wellbeing

In this program, students gain access to carefully curated workshops, high-impact keynote sessions, and ongoing mentorship across both academic institutions and digital platforms. The Be Different program’s model prioritizes transformation from the inside out, using structured learning combined with real-world application. Students are also offered support beyond sessions through an alumni-driven mentorship network that fosters long-term personal development.

The official announcement positions Be Different as one of the few structured regional initiatives dedicated to empowering young people in both mindset and behavior. Shalakamy’s years of experience as a corporate team leader, along with his youth-focused work across educational systems in Egypt and the broader Arab world, lend the program a unique mix of credibility and relevance.

Shalakamy explained the program’s mission: “If you want to be different, you need to think different. You don’t need to be great to start—just start, and eventually you will be great.”

Educational Institutions and Youth Clubs Among First Partners

Be Different has already begun piloting its model in high schools, public universities, private academies, and youth-focused institutions. The program has also partnered with elite community organizations, including Al Ahly Club, to facilitate workshops on leadership, purpose-building, and mental wellness. Sessions integrate storytelling, hands-on activities, and interactive coaching to ensure deep engagement from diverse student audiences.

The program’s first wave of outreach has reached hundreds of students across Cairo and the broader region, creating measurable shifts in confidence, decision-making, and identity development. With plans to expand throughout the Middle East and North Africa, the official launch of Be Different signals a new chapter in the evolution of youth training.

Announcement Follows Recognition as a Top Arab Influencer

The Be Different program announcement comes after Shalakamy’s recognition as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Arabs. The acknowledgment celebrates his impact as a grassroots educator and people strategist who built his platform from the ground up. In his corporate career, Shalakamy has also won first place in a global community impact challenge at Amazon, thanks to his innovative leadership in employee engagement and youth empowerment.

Beyond his programmatic work, Shalakamy maintains a growing presence on LinkedIn, where he bridges the gap between students and industry leaders. His online platforms offer access to career-building tools, coding workshops, personal branding strategies, and mental health content—resources designed to meet students before they graduate or enter the job market.

Author and Coach to Expand Youth Development Platform

With the announcement of the Be Different program, Shalakamy also confirmed the development of his first book to be out by 2027, a fictionalized narrative rooted in real-life events of trauma, leadership, and identity transformation. The book is expected to amplify his mission by offering storytelling as a gateway to healing and growth for younger audiences.

In addition, he is currently undergoing certification as a Positive Psychology Coach, signaling a deeper commitment to mental wellness and cognitive development in youth. These efforts are intended to strengthen the foundation of Be Different and ensure its frameworks remain scientifically sound and emotionally responsive.

New Model for Youth Empowerment Launched Across the Arab World

Shalakamy’s announcement marks a critical step in building the largest youth development movement in the Arab world. At its core, the Be Different program does not just prepare young people for exams or job interviews—it prepares them for life. By creating a platform that is both strategic and emotionally grounded, the initiative positions itself as a long-term contributor to the region’s social and economic future.

Unlike traditional training models, Be Different prioritizes early intervention. The program’s unique design helps students build personal brands, leadership abilities, and emotional clarity before they face real-world decisions. It is this model of pre-emptive, identity-driven coaching that makes the initiative stand out in the current education and development landscape.

About Be Different Program

Be Different is a youth development initiative founded by Youssef Shalakamy, focused on delivering life skills, mindset education, and leadership development to school and university students in the Arab world. Through a combination of in-person workshops, online mentorship, and regional partnerships, the program empowers young people to navigate the modern world with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
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Media Contact

Organization: Be Different Program

Contact Person: Youssef Shalakamy

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youssefshalakamy/

Email: Send Email

City: Cairo

Country:Egypt

Release id:31814