Download Ladies and gentleman, honorable participants , dear hosts,

European Regional Economic Forum 2010, Workshop on Knowledge Transfer for Development
“Circulation of Scientific Talent and Communication with Diaspora
11 May 2010, Istanbul
Ladies and gentleman, honorable participants, dear hosts,
First of all I would like to say something about emigration of Slovenian scientists and reasons of their
emigration. Then I am going to talk about the Action plan cooperation between Slovenian scientists and
other topmost experts from abroad. Finally I am going to talk about proposals for the future strategy at
national as well as European level.
Emigration:
At least 10% of all Slovenia researchers have been active abroad; taking into account 12.000
researchers being active in the country and 1200 researchers being active abroad.
- Greater number of scientists and topmost experts are descendants of Slovenian
Emigrants to the USA;
- We are challenged with the new trend of emigration of the scientists .In the period
between 1995 and 2004, 73 researchers from 30 enterprises went abroad, i.e. 2,4% .
- Emigration has been biggest among researchers of mathematical and technical sciences,
which is the key profiles for the developments of a country, and the emigration trend has
still been growing.
- About half of the emigrating scientists left for good.
- Returning of researchers from abroad (especially younger ones who have not reached the
level of a topmost expert yet) has been made difficult due to bad employment conditions
in the research scientific sphere, university institutions and social security.
- Reasons for the emigration:
 There is a considerable lack of financial stimulations and conditions for good
career possibilities, especially in regard to smaller research groups.
 Investment into science amounts to 1, 54 % of GDP (which is not that small).
Money for the researchers has been dispersed(everyone receive a little) and does
not involve criteria of quality;
 Cooperation between researchers, enterprises and final users does not reach the
desirable level. Investment of enterprises into research is insignificant;
employment of researchers in economic field is insignificant, which contributes to
modest innovations and small competitiveness in business.
 Although enough EU financial means have been at the disposal (e.g. Marie Curie
Programmes), applicants could not be successful without gaining experience
abroad. European research sphere functions in regard to connection of researchers
from different European countries and countries from the Third World.
 The situation has not been much different in other European countries. The
European Union needs about 800.000 new researchers in order to outclass her
competitors from Japan and the USA.
It should be also stressed, that new emigration trend has been the consequence of the globalization
process and could greatly contribute to new and better knowledge of the respective scientist. As well it
could contribute to the development of the region, if the countries and EU have a proper strategy and
policy.
Therefore, I am going to present the endeavors of Slovenia for strengthening the cooperation
with Slovenian scientists from abroad. The Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for
Slovenes abroad has determined the cooperation with Slovenian scientists from abroad as the priority task.
Action plan cooperation between Slovenian scientists and other topmost experts from abroad contains
strategic goals and measures based on the analysis of the present situation in Slovenia and abroad.
In reference with action plan it has been setting up web application which will contain a web
register of Slovenian scientists and topmost experts. The main goal is to establish a network of scientists
and economists, universities, high school institutions next to governmental and other institutions in the RS
with Slovenian scientists and other topmost experts abroad.
We are planning to establish a Committee for Science, which will be a part of the Council for
Slovenes abroad. The Council has been the consulting body of the Slovenian government. Its members are
representatives of Diaspora. The Committee for Science will be comprised by eight topmost experts from
abroad. The aim of the Committee is to integrate Slovenian scientists and topmost experts to prepare
strategic documents and developments projects.
The Office has been also endeavored to present work of scientists and their achievements to the
professional and other public.
In regard to possible return of Slovenian scientists, researchers, and postgraduate students,
the Office inform competent institutions about particular problems they face.i.e. ( it
is)nostrification of degrees achieved abroad, social security and pensions. The network of contacts
and information about certain institutions, public tenders and possibilities for participation in the projects
could greatly ease the searching for employment possibilities.
What
should
the
strategy
of
EREF
in
the
future
be?
EREF initiative in this area is welcomed. It is a step forward. If I first define the proposals for
recommendations to be discussed in Istanbul and Gorica, let me emphasize the following:
Productive contacts will depend on possibilities for migrants to maximize their interests through
interaction with the origin country (benefits on both sides) and not only to their patriotic sentiment.
Exchanges of academics of both sides and the reporting in mass media are welcomed.
These recommendations comprise also the general policy of the respective state, like organizing
special events in the country of the origin and supporting of migrant associations, although it should be
stressed, that successful people do not usually join the classical associations of emigrants. Slovenia in
addition to traditional associations supports also special Associations of scientists and topmost experts
(The Slovenian American science & Technology Association in Washington and Slovenian Business and
professional association in Cleveland).
Descendants of emmigrants have no interest in returning to their home country, and often
neither have those who emigrated recently.
It is our task to find out and invent new and modern communication systems with
Diaspora which will result in Circulation of Scientific Talent. In particular we have to strive for
networking,integration and cooperation. Why not be engaged for those topmost scientists from
the U.S who would be willing to open their laboratories also in the country of origin?
Such networking, connecting, or creating a suitable platform, can contribute to participation of the
topmost scientists and experts from third countries in the projects financed by European funds. European
research sphere functions and could be more effective in cooperation with countries from the Third World
Other proposals and initiatives:
- The already ongoing activities and practices of different factors at the international, interregional
and national level have to be evaluated and integrated, in light of the common goal of maximizing
synergy effect:
 The focus should be on better utilization of the potential/measures of several programs
like UNESCO’S and other organizations (OECD, IMO, and ILO) (Good material, which
comprises the studies and measures of some international organizations, has been
prepared also for this preparatory workshop).
 Local initiatives and other initiatives of interregional cooperation should be reviewed.
(Danube Strategy, Network for South Eastern Europe-2007).
 The initiative for harmonization of EU Member States Diaspora policies should be
welcomed. Harmonization can be achieved by highlighting/evaluating good practices of
individual Member and Candidate States. The EREF could consider organizing a special
debate, where the respective countries would present possible solutions (additional
proposal for recommendation). On such a basis, a study and the measures could be
prepared. Other regions which are not members of the EREF yet should be also invited in
this debate.
 The activities of other factors in each Member State should be reviewed and integrated (In
Slovenia Austrian scientific institute (the networking of Austrian scientists in the SEE)
has been active. An experience in cooperation with Slovenian scientists from abroad has
been proven in the activity of NGOs in the Republic of Slovenia (for example SSK)
Countries could establish a closer cooperation, exchange experience and best practices based on the
networking of scientists in the EU and third countries.
This would contribute to strengthening of human resources and circulation of scientific talent, enhancing
the integration of economy with science and the cohesion of the region.
Dr. Breda Mulec
Kabinet ministra/The cabinet of Minister