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Retour sur | 02 Jul 2025

New Governance, New Momentum: SINGA Global Continues to Advance Its Vision Amid the Challenges of Inclusion

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On June 13 and 14, 2025, as xenophobic and anti immigration rhetoric continues to gain ground in a global context marked by fear and crisis, SINGA chapters gathered for their General Assembly to renew their Board of Directors. Camila Ríos Armas was elected as the first woman President of SINGA Global, alongside seven members with diverse backgrounds, for a two-year term.

This new Board of Directors reflects a strong commitment to amplifying the voice of an international network dedicated to defending and building an inclusive, united, and creative society, active in 17 cities across 7 countries.

The new Board takes office in an increasingly fragmented world. Its mission is clear: to support the citizens who are driving change and to help build, both locally and globally, a truly inclusive society.

An International Community in Motion

Since its founding, and thanks to the momentum provided by the previous Board, SINGA has grown considerably and professionalised its approach, becoming a solid international movement. By creating spaces for connection, entrepreneurship, co-housing, and narrative transformation, SINGA actively works to build a more just, inclusive, and creative society.

Today, the time has come to further amplify the solutions offered by SINGA, to strengthen the network’s internal cohesion, and to increase collaboration. In the face of growing challenges, the goal is to scale up the impact and establish SINGA as a force capable of inspiring lasting change on issues of migration and inclusion.

Camila Ríos Armas, New President of SINGA Global

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Camila Ríos Armas has over 15 years of experience in political communication and inclusion. She has worked in France and across Europe on the development of integration programs and teaches at several universities. Her engagement with SINGA began in 2018 when she founded UniR (Universités & Réfugié·e·s), an NGO that facilitates access to higher education for people with refugee backgrounds. UniR is one of many initiatives supported by SINGA, which backs thousands of projects led by newcomers.

A Clear Mission for the Next Two Years

For the coming two years, the Board plans to intensify collective work within the network, develop new strategic partnerships, and promote the exchange of best practices between chapters.

In the face of today’s challenges, marked by the rise of xenophobia and racism, Camila brings a deep conviction: that civic engagement is a powerful force for building more just and inclusive societies.

“I am convinced that we stop being afraid when we meet one another. Today, we are going through difficult times, where xenophobia and racism threaten democracy and freedom, but we believe in civic engagement. It reminds me of something my father says when I face challenges: ‘Pa’ lante’, which means keep going. Don’t look back. The future is what matters. And that’s exactly what we’ll be doing over the next two years at SINGA Global.”— Camila Ríos Armas

A Collective Rich in Diversity and Complementary Expertise

Alongside Camila, six members from several continents — women and men, newcomers and locals — are bringing their combined talents and expertise to strengthen the global network. Together, they embody the human, cultural, and professional diversity that makes SINGA so strong.

“I share this Board with six extraordinary people who bring complementary skills and diverse origins and paths — for example: Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Germany, France, the United States, Canada. We each have our own story with SINGA. Mine began in 2018 when I wanted to launch my NGO, UniR, to support refugees and asylum seekers in accessing higher education. Thanks to the initial support SINGA provided, we’ve accompanied more than 4,000 people. And this is just one example among thousands of initiatives supported by SINGA.”— Camila Ríos Armas

Eric Asmar – SINGA Global Board Member

Eric Asmar is a serial social entrepreneur working in development, innovation, and finance, with over 17 years of experience in the United States, Europe, and Africa. From a third-generation newcomer family and a fourth-generation entrepreneurial background, he holds a degree in sociology from the University of San Francisco and a master’s in development studies from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. Eric has designed and implemented programs supporting economic empowerment and innovation, working with entrepreneurs, financial institutions, public agencies, and civil society. Since 2018, he has led happy smala, an innovation lab that has launched award-winning fintech and edtech startups, including Morocco’s first crowdfunding platforms, and is currently working to launch the country’s first blended impact finance fund. He teaches entrepreneurship and impact measurement at ESSEC Business School Africa, École Centrale Casablanca, and ITC-ILO.

“I am deeply honored to have been chosen to join the Board of SINGA Global. I’ve been collaborating with SINGA intermittently since 2015 and have developed great respect for this network and the communities it nurtures. For me, SINGA is about turning values into concrete action.”

Adrien Bouchet – SINGA Global Board Member

Adrien Bouchet is a project officer focused on employment at FAS Pays de la Loire. He began his career in entrepreneurship support, first at the France Active network, and later as a volunteer and then a staff member at SINGA Nantes. At SINGA Nantes, he coordinated awareness programs, early-stage project support, and helped develop the volunteer community.

“This new role is a continuation of my commitment to promote a different, inclusive message around migration. It’s an opportunity to keep contributing and to bring my field experience to the Board’s strategic discussions.”

Sima Gatea – SINGA Global Secretary General

Sima Gatea supports, facilitates, and trains leaders and communities in conscious leadership and collective action, helping them strengthen their mental, emotional, somatic, and spiritual awareness. Her work as a coach, healer, facilitator, and social entrepreneur is informed by Compassionate Inquiry (Dr. Gabor Maté), Sufi psychology, community weaving, collective impact, and systems change. Sima is a Dalai Lama Fellow and Mentor. After earning a master’s degree in transcultural studies from Heidelberg University, she co-founded SINGA Berlin in 2015, where she connected hundreds of newcomers and locals through community building, professional mentoring, and business incubation. She later designed and led three capacity-building and collective action programs for 50 leaders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors in Germany, Morocco, and Canada.

“Joining the Board of SINGA Global as Secretary General feels like returning home. After co-founding SINGA Berlin and leading leadership programs for inclusion across three countries, I took a step back to study healing and peace-building practices. Now, it feels natural to bring back those learnings and a renewed perspective to the SINGA Global community. For me, SINGA is not just about building inclusion and belonging — it’s about cultivating peace and healing in community, now more than ever.”

Iyad Kallas – SINGA Global Board Member

Iyad Kallas is a Franco-Syrian consultant and trainer with nearly 20 years of international experience in interdisciplinary innovation, digital transformation, and organizational governance. He works with UN agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, UNHCR, WHO, World Bank), ministries and public institutions, and companies focused on sustainability. Holding multiple degrees in technology, information engineering, and project management, he applies principles of Communication for Development and data-informed design thinking to develop human-centered management strategies, impact entrepreneurship, and context-sensitive communication. After years in the private sector, he shifted toward social innovation, focusing on migration policy and socio-economic inclusion. He contributed to the development of the UNHCR Global Compact on Refugees and serves on the boards of SINGA, Jamira, RAHMI, NRV, and Vision, where he leads projects advancing intercultural dialogue and understanding between the Global North and South, particularly across the MENA region.

“Serving on the Board of SINGA Global is a deeply meaningful opportunity to support and strengthen the network’s efforts to foster holistic inclusion and drive real impact on the ground. My aim is to help move things forward from within the community — across local chapters and at a global scale.”

Rania Lteif – SINGA Global Board Member

Rania Lteif has over 15 years of experience leading youth and community development initiatives in France and Lebanon. She has worked with large international NGOs as well as grassroots community organizations. She currently runs a children’s activity center in Villeurbanne, France, and leads the association CLAP, which promotes neighborhood-based actions to strengthen social ties in underserved areas. Rania holds an MBA and a degree in audiovisual production. Her work blends creativity, community engagement, and intercultural dialogue to build inclusive, resilient communities.

“I am thrilled to have joined the SINGA Global Board because I deeply believe in its mission of fostering inclusion through connection and innovation. SINGA supported me in launching CLAP, a community-based initiative in working-class neighborhoods. Today, I’m excited to give back by sharing my experience at the international level.”

Jean-François Ollivier – SINGA Global Treasurer

Jean-François Ollivier has been a long-time volunteer and advocate in organizations supporting the social and professional integration of people in vulnerable situations. From a young age, he was exposed to injustice and growing social exclusion but also witnessed the tremendous potential for empathy and civic mobilization when people are given the tools to act.

“SINGA, through its values and structure, has the capacity to spark and support innovative ideas that are essential to imagining the future of our work. My contribution to the Board will be to help nurture this potential.”

Camila Ríos Armas - President of SINGA Global
Eric Asma - SINGA Global Board Member
Adrien Bouchet - SINGA Global Board Member
Sima Gatea – SINGA Global Secretary General
Iyad Kallas – SINGA Global Board Member
Rania Lteif – SINGA Global Board Member
Jean-François Ollivier – SINGA Global Treasurer