Better careers and more mobility: a European partnership for researchers

Research ministers reviewed the political measures most likely to promote the careers and mobility of researchers in Europe.

On this subject, the Council noted the progress of work undertaken following the adoption of the conclusions of 26 September 2008 on "A European partnership for researchers: better careers and more mobility".

The Portuguese and Luxembourg ministers for research presented an interim report on the analysis being carried out to identify priority initiatives for swift and concrete implementation of the common objectives of the European partnership and on the investigation into what might be covered by European researcher status.

In addition, the Council noted the results of the conference on "Young researchers in Europe" held in Rennes, France, on 20 and 21 November 2008.

On the basis of the Commission communication of 23 May 2008, the Council decided to emphasise, among other aspects:

• the need to accelerate progress and to amplify the initiatives designed to strengthen the attractiveness of the European higher education area and of research and of scientific careers;
•  the need to strive to strengthen the links between the fields concerned by coordinating the Lisbon Strategy with the Bologna Process around the doctorate and the modernisation of higher education.

In that context, the March 2008 European Council, which launched the new cycle of the renewed Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs (2008-2010), asked Member States and the EU as a whole to remove barriers to the free movement of knowledge, notably by making the labour market for European researchers more open and competitive, providing better career structures, transparency and family-friendliness.