SINGA is a global community of 50,000 members, in 17 cities of 7 countries. A community that aspires to create open societies and innovative economies where everyone, regardless of their origin, can reach their full potential.

In France, SINGA creates a link between newcomers (people with migrant and refugee backgrounds) and locals (people with knowledge of the cultural codes in the welcoming community) with the aim to develop each person’s social and professional networks, leading to the creation of many opportunities (e.g. access to culture, employment, education or housing).

Since 2012, SINGA’s activities prove that social and economic innovation stems from migration and social connections. Each encounter, each programme, each structure created by SINGA becomes the foundation that allows us to build tomorrow’s society.

Today, 80 million people (1% of the world’s population) live in exile (UNHCR). This number will rise to 300 million by 2050 (UN), with the acceleration of global warming and the political and economic unrest in certains countries. Europe plays a significant role in welcoming these populations, but struggles to create solutions that truly foster the inclusion of newcomers.

The word “migrant” often conjures an image of a shapeless, precarious, and dangerous figure without any individuality. This biased perception triggers debates around national security and polarised societies, creating a “us” versus “them” narrative. A pointless concept, as Professor Otto Scharmer (MIT) highlights : this idea of “us” can fluctuate and expand to include more and more profiles as time goes by.

We refuse to see migration uniquely as a humanitarian or security issue. We must quickly and radically change how society at large approaches migration : it is a great opportunity to meet new people, give meaning to our lives. It provides economic opportunities, limitless knowledge and permanent cultural enrichment.

What if the world was more reactive to environmental and social change? What if each citizen of the world was no longer limited by his/her nationality, but could thrive with their own plural and dynamic identity? What if we could benefit from others’ experiences, knowledge and skills?