Government's Office for Slovenians Abroad Komenskega 11, SI-1000 Ljubljana tel: +386 (0) fax: +386 (0) European Regional Economic Forum 2010, Workshop on Knowledge Transfer for Development Circulation of Scientific Talent and Communication with Diaspora 11 May 2010, Istanbul Dr. Breda Mulec

Topics 1.Emigration of Slovenian scientists and reasons of their emigration. 2.Action plan cooperation between Slovenian scientists and other topmost experts from abroad. 3.Proposals for the future strategy at national as well as European level.

European Regional Economic Forum 2010, Workshop on Knowledge Transfer for Development Circulation of Scientific Talent and Communication with Diaspora 11 May 2010, Istanbul Emigration of Slovenian scientists: At least 10% of all Slovenia scientists and researchers have been active abroad.

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. Money for the researchers has been dispersed. 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 new researchers in order to outclass her competitors from Japan and the USA.

Action plan Co-operation between Slovenian scientists and other topmost experts from abroad Web application: The network of contacts and information about certain institutions, public tenders and possibilities for participation in the projects - a web register of Slovenian scientists and topmost experts, etc.. Committee for Science -a part of the Council for Slovenes abroad (the consulting body of the Slovenian government; Its members are representatives of Diaspora). Presentation of work of scientists and their achievements to the professional and other public. Reintegration activities of the Governmental Office.

Proposals for the future strategy at national as well as European level 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 UNESCOS and other organizations (OECD, IMO, and ILO). Local initiatives and other initiatives of interregional cooperation should be reviewed. (Danube Strategy, Network for South Eastern Europe-2007). The initiative for harmonization of Member States Diaspora policies should be welcomed. Harmonization can be achieved by highlighting/evaluating good practices of individual Member States. The EREF could consider organizing a special debate, where the respective countries would present possible solutions. 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: Slovenian World Congress-SSK).

European Regional Economic Forum 2010, Workshop on Knowledge Transfer for Development Circulation of Scientific Talent and Communication with Diaspora 11 May 2010, Istanbul Thank you very much for your attention!