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.