The issues of brain circulation and how to achieve balanced brain circulation that does not penalise any member states will be on the Education Council’s agenda in Brussels on 20 February. At the meeting, the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU intends to ask ministers of education about the actions that need to be implemented, about the European University Initiative and about funding instruments.
The Presidency states in a preparatory document that labour mobility can bring a range of benefits, but that it can also disadvantage certain countries that may be facing a brain drain. In effect, 74% of all Europeans who have left their country are hosted by Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, France and Spain. Recent arrivals tend to be more highly educated than nationals of their host country, the paper notes. “The consequences for sending countries include the loss of returns on public investment in education, labour shortages and brain drain. Nevertheless, reverse migration (return to the country of origin) can bring positive gains to sending countries”, the Croatian Presidency notes with caution.
Consequently, the paper argues that, to support the positive effects of brain circulation, “policy makers have the responsibility to create measures and policies that support balanced migration flows, which contribute to the development of the economy and of society in general, enhance the social dimension of education and foster European integration and cohesion”. Its recommendations include developing comprehensive tracking systems for graduates, improving the availability of comparable graduate data, and increasing strategic investments to improve the quality and attractiveness of education everywhere.
To read the discussion paper, go to: http://bit.ly/2udFzZM (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)