Conference
on Brain Drain
SNSPA in Bucharest, Romania and online
JUNE 20TH 2024 10:00-15:00 GMT+3
Event organised under the patronage of the European Parliament
ABOUT OUR CONFERENCE
In 2021, 32% of EU movers possessed a high level of education, compared to 28% in 2016, indicating a growing trend of skilled migration within Europe. This migration trend is supported by push factors which are particularly strong in Central and Eastern European countries, such as structural youth unemployment, poor education systems, and political instability. In receiving countries in the West, pull factors like higher living standards and better job opportunities abroad attract skilled individuals, preserving a cycle of brain drain in the East, and brain gain in the West.
Romania, in particular, stands out as the European country most affected by talent emigration, with a significant shortage of researchers and medical workers. In 2017, the percentage of highly-educated Romanians living abroad increased by 144% compared to 2008. The most recent estimates show that 4 million Romanians live abroad, meaning that almost 20% of the people born in Romania no longer live in the country. The consequences of brain drain extend beyond economic implications, exacerbating regional disparities within the European Union and contributing to demographic challenges such as shrinking working-age populations and aging societies. Moreover, brain drain perpetuates a mentality within society where emigration of talented professionals becomes normalised, discouraging investment in home countries and limiting overall development and progress.
Against this backdrop, Bucharest becomes the perfect city to host the "Bridging the Gap: From Brain Drain to Brain Circulation" conference. As the capital of Romania and a mirror to the challenges facing the CEE region, Bucharest provides a fitting meeting point for policymakers and experts to share best practices for reversing the tide of brain drain and promote sustainable development in Europe.
ABOUT BRAIN DRAIN
Central and Eastern Europe are facing an ongoing "brain drain" crisis, with a significant number of skilled professionals choosing to leave their home countries. This trend drains human resources from their countries of origin, weakening economic stability and social cohesion. As populations across Central and Eastern Europe continue to shrink, the need for a strategic response becomes more urgent.
In this context, we are proud to present "Bridging the Gap: From Brain Drain to Brain Circulation" a hybrid conference organised entirely by Master's students from the Erasmus Mundus MA in Euroculture at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. Scheduled for 20th of June 2024 in Bucharest, Romania, this event aims to redefine the migration narrative, focusing on sustainable strategies to transform brain drain into brain circulation.
The event will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders — including academics, policymakers, and practitioners — to explore multifaceted solutions from an economic, education, business and policy perspective to encourage the retention and return of talent. As Eastern European students who have chosen to study abroad, each member of our team is personally connected with this topic and committed to bringing youth into the conversations which shape European regional challenges. Our interdisciplinary, research-driven background allows us to engage with diverse stakeholders, including fellow students, scholars and policymakers.
Agenda
Welcome Coffee & Registration
A concise introduction of the context, impact and implications.
Perspectives from Europe
09:00-09:30
Official Opening
Youth Perspectives Panel
Project Spotlight: Vino Acasă. Proiectul pentru Diaspora
09:30-10:00
10:00
Brain Drain
Lunch Break
Brain Circulation
13:30
13:30-13:50
Speaker: Cireșica Feyer Deputy Head of Unit, Labour Market, Education, Health and Social Services, DG REFORM, European Commission
Speaker: Laurențiu GAGU Principal Expert for International Communication and Cooperation Ministry of Investment and European Projects
Coffee Break
Expert Insights & Policy Solutions Panel
10:00-10:20
Speaker: Prof. Dr. Emil Constantinescu President of Romania 1996-2000
EU Mechanisms: the Technical Support Instrument
Talent return. Governmental initiatives in Romania
10:30-11:20
11:30-11:50
Speaker: Arthur Corazza Policy Officer. Cohesion, Economy & Social Affairs Secretariat-General. European Commission
12:00-12:30
Speaker: Thomas Campaner
12:30-13:30
14:00-14:20
14:20-14:40
14:40-15:40
Speakers:
Cireșica Feyer Deputy Head of Unit, Labour Market, Education, Health and Social Services, DG REFORM, European Commission
Laura Florea Vice President of Romanian Business Leaders Foundation
Simina Tulbure Member in the Chamber of Deputies in the Romanian Parliament (REPER)
Conf.univ.dr. Crina Rădulescu Vice Rector International Relations SNSPA Erasmus+ Institutional Coordinator
Moderated by: TUDOR MUȘAT
The location
Meet the Team
-
Maria Pirvu
Organisation & Contracts
b_maria_pirvu@yahoo.com
-
Andreea Mirea
Content & Agenda
andreeamirea2010@yahoo.com
-
Ana Boyadjieva
Communications & Tech
ana.g.boyadjieva@gmail.com
We are Masters students from the Erasmus Mundus MA in Euroculture at Jagiellonian University. As international students with Eastern European backgrounds, we understand that while we are among the ones that left, we can also be part of the solution.