This document discusses the challenges facing the EU in attracting and retaining high-quality researchers and scientists. It notes that while science is becoming more globalized, the economic benefits of research are measured locally. It also discusses Germany's inconsistent policies around restricting immigration of high-qualified researchers, and argues that facilitating the immigration of researchers should be a priority for the EU. Finally, it examines the mobility of researchers as dependent on both individual desires and circumstances as well as policies in home and destination countries.

1. TOWARDS LISBON 2.1 Ljubljana, 28.09.2007 IT’S ABOUT BRAINS… Nikolai Genov Free University Berlin [email_address]

2. TWO CONTRADICTORY SITUATIONS -Science is getting more and more globalized , but: -The educational and economic effects of R&D are measured in local terms (in competitiveness of companies and nations) - International migration of scientists is normality in science, but: - Who profits from the discoveries and inventions? IT‘S ABOUT THE VALUE OF BRAINS

3. THE EU-LISBON STRATEGY AND EU-REALITIES a) Decreasing native population; b) Decreasing interest among EU-students to choose professional career in the natural sciences and engineering; c) Growing competition on the international R&D labour market (competition for brains); d) Seven of ten EU-born doctorate recipients in the USA use to stay there after graduation. EU-countries need immigration of HQ in R&D

4. CURRENT DEBATES EC VP Franco Frattini in September 2007: -EU should facilitate the immigration of HQ in R&D German politicians - other priorities: -To stop brain-drain from EU ; -To integrate immigrants; -To keep competences of member-states and EU clearly defined and separated .

5. THE BACKGROUND OF THE DEBATE: Unemployment in the European Union by skill level

6. CAN GERMANY BE CONSISTENT IN RESTRICTING IMMIGRATION OF HQ IN R&D? OBVIOUSLY NO: -In 2000:„Green Card“ initiative (IT HQ) for 20000 -Till the end of 2001: some 10000 -Till December 2004: some 18000 Reasons: - Limitation of the stay - High threshold of salary - Family members USA, Canada, Australia, UK: more successful So: Competition for brains is a matter of policy

7. WHAT COULD EU INITIATIVES ACTUALLY ACHIEVE? (1: INTERNALLY) TRANSFER AND EU-GENERALIZATION OF “BEST PRACTICES” FROM VARIOUS SOURCES To facilitate the real opening of academic and R&D positions in the EU to world-wide competition (US American style of open academic market) To facilitate the real search for “best and brightest” worldwide (EU-wide “anti-trust” policies); To press on supportive national legal regulations for inflow of HQ in R&D; To foster flexicurity in academic and R&D institutions (more project based structures)

8. WHAT COULD EU INITIATIVES ACTUALLY ACHIEVE? (2: EXTERNALLY) OPEN THE EU R&D INSTITUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AND COOPERATION -FP7 is on the right track in funding broad joint projects; -Strengthening cooperation with traditional partners; -Readiness to innovate in developing the relationships with new neighbours; -Russia and Ukraine as special (and different) cases -The German experience with immigrants from the former Soviet Union

9. RUSSIA AND UKRAINE AS DONOR COUNTRIES? Reasons for emigration of researchers and university teachers at Moscow universities (2004) _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Reason % _________________________________________________________ Low wages 76 Decline of prestige of intellectual labour 53 Lack of opportunities to realize the scientific potential 50 Threat of social outbursts 40 Anxiety about the future of the children 35 Economic instability, threat of unemployment 35 Vague prospects concerning the professional carrier 19 _______________________________________________________________________

10. Research personnel at the National Academy of Science of Ukraine ■ Number of researchers (thousands) ■ Number of researchers with academic degrees (Dr, Dr. sc.)

11. MOBILITY OF HQ IN R&D IS A MATTER OF DOUBLE CONTINGENCY Desires for : PAa:Institutional support PBa:Knowledge &status in R&D acquisition PCa: Personal capacities PDa: Support from the personal environment Career in or outside R&D PA: Institutional environment PB: Professional education PC: Professional aspirations PD: Personal c ircumstances Experience as scientist Assessments of : PAb: Institutional constraints PBb: Value of knowledge & status acquisition PCb: Personal capacities PDb: Personal circumstances Career in or outside the home country

12. THE PROSPECTS? Brain-drain? Brain-gain? Brain-waste? Brain circulation? IT‘S VERY MUCH MATTER OF POLICIES – POLICIES OF EU MEMBER STATES AND INCREASINGLY EU POLICIES TO BE INCORPORATED IN LISBON 2