Fulvio Esposito Chair ERA SGHRM

1. First of all, I would like to thank the organisers for offering me this occasion for exchanging some ideas about the process of implementing the EPR observed from a priviledged point of view, that is the ERA Steering Group on Human Resources and MobilityFirst of all, I would like to thank the organisers for offering me this occasion for exchanging some ideas about the process of implementing the EPR observed from a priviledged point of view, that is the ERA Steering Group on Human Resources and Mobility

2. Probably, the best I can do at the beginning of this timely and important Conference is to provide some elements for discussion. Thus, I start with a question: are we already at the point of �looking beyond� the EPR (as the subtitle of the Conference seems to suggest), or should we re-boost momentum and concentrate our efforts on implementing the EPR? Undoubtedly, forward looking activities are of paramount importance, particularly when a forward looking profession, as that of researchers, is concerned. However, setting new goals and identifying new focus areas while the difficult exercise of assembling the efforts of a critical mass of research institutions across Europe on the current priority areas of the EPR is still ongoing entails risks we might not want to run.Probably, the best I can do at the beginning of this timely and important Conference is to provide some elements for discussion. Thus, I start with a question: are we already at the point of �looking beyond� the EPR (as the subtitle of the Conference seems to suggest), or should we re-boost momentum and concentrate our efforts on implementing the EPR? Undoubtedly, forward looking activities are of paramount importance, particularly when a forward looking profession, as that of researchers, is concerned. However, setting new goals and identifying new focus areas while the difficult exercise of assembling the efforts of a critical mass of research institutions across Europe on the current priority areas of the EPR is still ongoing entails risks we might not want to run.

3. One could perhaps argue that we are moving too slow and that we are too late with respect to the implementation timetable. But, let us consider whether these arguments are sound and reasonableOne could perhaps argue that we are moving too slow and that we are too late with respect to the implementation timetable. But, let us consider whether these arguments are sound and reasonable

4. It was only 5 years ago when the EC for the first time decidedly abandoned its traditional role of research funder to assume an additional role: that of a policy maker for research and researchers. The milestone marking the start of this new road was the Communication on a EU Charter for Researchers and a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, on March 2005 It was only 5 years ago when the EC for the first time decidedly abandoned its traditional role of research funder to assume an additional role: that of a policy maker for research and researchers. The milestone marking the start of this new road was the Communication on a EU Charter for Researchers and a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, on March 2005

5. Playing its new role, the Commission, with the Charter and Code, makes explicit that Europe has an insufficient number of researchers, and that the European research institutions, mainly due to problems related to recruitment procedures and working conditions, risk to become increasingly unattractive on the researchers� labor market. Thus, there was an urgent need to promote awareness among the public at large about the importance of the researchers� profession, and to promote in turn the Government willingness to invest on researchers. But even before the outburst of the economic crisis, which rendered the path towards the objectives of the Lisbon strategy almost impracticable, it was clear that, for various reasons, the C&C hit only partially the target. With some remarkable exceptions, the committment by the MS was limited and the signature of the C&C by a number of RI across Europe did not translated in a measurable impact on the researchers population. Disappointingly, a survey showed that, also in signatory institutions, researchers did not even know the C&C. Playing its new role, the Commission, with the Charter and Code, makes explicit that Europe has an insufficient number of researchers, and that the European research institutions, mainly due to problems related to recruitment procedures and working conditions, risk to become increasingly unattractive on the researchers� labor market. Thus, there was an urgent need to promote awareness among the public at large about the importance of the researchers� profession, and to promote in turn the Government willingness to invest on researchers. But even before the outburst of the economic crisis, which rendered the path towards the objectives of the Lisbon strategy almost impracticable, it was clear that, for various reasons, the C&C hit only partially the target. With some remarkable exceptions, the committment by the MS was limited and the signature of the C&C by a number of RI across Europe did not translated in a measurable impact on the researchers population. Disappointingly, a survey showed that, also in signatory institutions, researchers did not even know the C&C.

6. Thus, the Commission made an additional effort to better focus the principles of the C&C and, at the end of May 2008, called the Member and Associate States to make a joint effort by a new communication to the Council and the EU Parliament: the communication on the European Partnership for Researchers Thus, the Commission made an additional effort to better focus the principles of the C&C and, at the end of May 2008, called the Member and Associate States to make a joint effort by a new communication to the Council and the EU Parliament: the communication on the European Partnership for Researchers

7. The EPR in fact does not add or modify anything with respect to the C&C principles, rather it prioritises 4 key areas, namely recruitment and portability of grants, social security and supplementary pensions, employment and working conditions, training, skills and experience of EU researchers. The objectives of the EPR are probably better focused, but definitely not less ambitious than those originally formulated within context of the C&C. The EPR in fact does not add or modify anything with respect to the C&C principles, rather it prioritises 4 key areas, namely recruitment and portability of grants, social security and supplementary pensions, employment and working conditions, training, skills and experience of EU researchers. The objectives of the EPR are probably better focused, but definitely not less ambitious than those originally formulated within context of the C&C.

8. About 2 years ago, during the French Presidency, the Competitiveness Council, revising the mandate of the SGHRM, identified the Group as the most appropriate forum for assisting Members and Associate States in their efforts towards the implementation of the EPR. The Group officially approved its mandate and started the real work on the partnership in March 2009, less than 20 months ago. Let�s now go quickly through the results already achieved in this relatively short time. About 2 years ago, during the French Presidency, the Competitiveness Council, revising the mandate of the SGHRM, identified the Group as the most appropriate forum for assisting Members and Associate States in their efforts towards the implementation of the EPR. The Group officially approved its mandate and started the real work on the partnership in March 2009, less than 20 months ago. Let�s now go quickly through the results already achieved in this relatively short time.

9. Eight countries already produced their National Action Plan for implementing the EPR, and many others are moving into that direction. A set of indicators for monitoring EPR imlementation has been identified and I guess they will be presented and discussed in one of the parallel sessions of this Conference. Twenty-two Research Institutions in 11 countries have adopted and published on the web their Human Resources Strategy for Researchers incorporating the Charter & Code and obtained the badge �Excellence in Research�.Eight countries already produced their National Action Plan for implementing the EPR, and many others are moving into that direction. A set of indicators for monitoring EPR imlementation has been identified and I guess they will be presented and discussed in one of the parallel sessions of this Conference. Twenty-two Research Institutions in 11 countries have adopted and published on the web their Human Resources Strategy for Researchers incorporating the Charter & Code and obtained the badge �Excellence in Research�.

10. Concerning the key area �Enhancing the training, skills and experience of European researchers� the proposal for a European framework for research careers has been produced by the SGHRM in the form of a draft for comments and is currently being circulated. This subject also will be discussed in one of the parallel sessions. When adopted, this framework can be used as a sort of automatic translator, making finally understandable to each other what a French maitre de conference, or a British senior lecturer or a German privat docent or a Norvegian professor 2 stand for and therefore significantly improving the chance for researchers� mobility and careersConcerning the key area �Enhancing the training, skills and experience of European researchers� the proposal for a European framework for research careers has been produced by the SGHRM in the form of a draft for comments and is currently being circulated. This subject also will be discussed in one of the parallel sessions. When adopted, this framework can be used as a sort of automatic translator, making finally understandable to each other what a French maitre de conference, or a British senior lecturer or a German privat docent or a Norvegian professor 2 stand for and therefore significantly improving the chance for researchers� mobility and careers

11. Concerning the key area �Open recruitment and portability of grants�, the use of the Euraxess Jobs portal as a site for advertising research-related positions consistently increased during this 2 year period. A further growth in the number of Research Institutions and Countries making profit of the portal is encouraged and promoted by improving recognition and perceived quality of the portal, while other critical aspects raised by Institutions and Member States (e.g. language) are still being discussedConcerning the key area �Open recruitment and portability of grants�, the use of the Euraxess Jobs portal as a site for advertising research-related positions consistently increased during this 2 year period. A further growth in the number of Research Institutions and Countries making profit of the portal is encouraged and promoted by improving recognition and perceived quality of the portal, while other critical aspects raised by Institutions and Member States (e.g. language) are still being discussed

12. Concerning the key area �Meeting social security and supplementary pensions needs of mobile researchers� an expert group has been convened. Their conclusions as well as a study on the feasibility of a Pan European Pension Fund will be presented and discussed in this Conference. Meanwhile, some Member States already made significant progresses in this field and their actions represent good practices to be taken as examples Concerning the key area �Meeting social security and supplementary pensions needs of mobile researchers� an expert group has been convened. Their conclusions as well as a study on the feasibility of a Pan European Pension Fund will be presented and discussed in this Conference. Meanwhile, some Member States already made significant progresses in this field and their actions represent good practices to be taken as examples

13. So, a lot of work has been done, but it has to be recognised that a lot remains to be done. I can see at least two priority issues to deal with in the immediate future : developing a common view on doctoral programmes and designing practicable instruments to accelerate the achievement of a more equitable gender balance in the research careersSo, a lot of work has been done, but it has to be recognised that a lot remains to be done. I can see at least two priority issues to deal with in the immediate future : developing a common view on doctoral programmes and designing practicable instruments to accelerate the achievement of a more equitable gender balance in the research careers

14. Besides and beyond the important, concrete and visible specific results achieved in a relatively short time, what also counts � and pehaps counts even more � is the general atmosphere. Working together in a very cohesive manner towards the implementation of the EPR has been a formidable experience and an excellent mutual learning exercise.Besides and beyond the important, concrete and visible specific results achieved in a relatively short time, what also counts � and pehaps counts even more � is the general atmosphere. Working together in a very cohesive manner towards the implementation of the EPR has been a formidable experience and an excellent mutual learning exercise.

15. In these months of work within the SGHRM, I got the impression that the EPR implementation process is achieving its strategic goals of boosting awareness on the importance of researchers and research professions for improving Europe competitiveness on the global scale. The responsible ownership of the MS on the crucial aspect of the human resources for research has been strengthened. During the process, good practices emerged and common problems were identified, although it is clear that the responsibility for identifying the solutions remains at national level. In these months of work within the SGHRM, I got the impression that the EPR implementation process is achieving its strategic goals of boosting awareness on the importance of researchers and research professions for improving Europe competitiveness on the global scale. The responsible ownership of the MS on the crucial aspect of the human resources for research has been strengthened. During the process, good practices emerged and common problems were identified, although it is clear that the responsibility for identifying the solutions remains at national level.

16. In conclusion, going back to my starting question whether we are already in a position to look beyond the EPR, my tentative answer is that we should rather look forward to and struggle for the EPR full implementation in a flexible but coherent manner in all Member and Associate States. To achieve this results we should increasingly look beyond our respective borders to import/export good practices without customs, with less cautiousness and more bravery. I am confident that this is the main road leading to a competitive, winning, fully operational ERA.In conclusion, going back to my starting question whether we are already in a position to look beyond the EPR, my tentative answer is that we should rather look forward to and struggle for the EPR full implementation in a flexible but coherent manner in all Member and Associate States. To achieve this results we should increasingly look beyond our respective borders to import/export good practices without customs, with less cautiousness and more bravery. I am confident that this is the main road leading to a competitive, winning, fully operational ERA.