"Talents circulate, they don't run away"

20/03/2014

Interview with Luiza Hoxhaj, executive director of the Center for European Policy Studies for Regional and Local Development (CRDLS Albania). She is one of the organizers of the conference “Meet Albanian Talents – Meet AlbTalents”, which will be held on March 28 and 29 in Vlora.

Hoxhaj explains what a qualified professional or a qualified worker is looking for to return: “They are looking for recognition and an environment in which to assert themselves. The salary comes later.” We need to go beyond the rhetoric of brain drain. Talents today do not leave, they circulate. This is precisely where we need to reflect, to improve: to ensure that anyone who has left can also return. Why not also for foreigners to come to Albania." We have studied the emigration of the brain, of qualified workers, and the opinion of young people about the country where they want to study and we conclude that: "What talents in every field require, more than money, is an environment where they are valued and placed in conditions to express themselves."

Mrs. Hoxhaj, What is the extent of the phenomenon of leaving Albania?

" The data say that about 20 thousand graduates leave every year. And the number over the total number of emigrants, the percentage of graduates is constantly increasing, according to studies by the World Bank or IOM. We must acknowledge in this case the lack of official data from ISTAT. In an absolute sense, it is not true that more academics or qualified workers leave Albania than other countries in our region. What makes the difference is that all these talents who emigrate have a positive fact in themselves. But this is valuable if we manage to bring them back again, in order to be enriched by their experience. In fact, we are not able to do this. We are not even able to attract others from abroad. This is a problem that we must solve. This remains a challenge for the Albanian state and society"

Is this also an economic loss?

"Of course. It is a loss of human and economic capital, although it is difficult to determine the extent of this loss. We must calculate how much it costs the state or Albanian families (in Albania this is overwhelmingly a family investment, without denying the state's efforts) to form a new one and then look at the value of the wealth that they generate abroad. Although it is not said that in Albania they would have been able to make the same contribution. Maybe here such a person would have been simply unemployed."

What are the decisive factors in convincing a qualified young person to choose to return to Albania?

" The center conducted a survey among emigrants, mainly young people, partly still abroad and partly returned, asking them to explain: what are the factors behind their choice. There are 110 of them who answered the questionnaire, plus 20 others who expressed themselves through video messages or video interviews. There was a strong correlation between the two groups. In the first place is meritocracy. Abroad, young people feel valued not based on their network of acquaintances, but based on what they know how to do, on their skills. Their talent is also recognized because careers there are more transparent. The second point is that this talent must be able to be expressed: young people want to have the means to do their job better. Because if they have to compete with someone who moves to a more functional environment, the risk, according to them, is that "I will not be able to come out on top, even for the same skills". Practically, this means living in a country where research is funded, where it is supported and a friendly environment is created and tolerated."

And how important is the salary?

" On average, salaries abroad are certainly higher. But for immigrants this factor is only in third place. Even in various European countries, the "Law against exodus" has acted on this point with a series of tax incentives. This is an important innovation, but not enough. Why? I repeat, the priority for a talent is to have an ability to recognize values ​​and a context that provides the technical and cultural tools to work well and improve. The desire to return is for almost everyone, for love, for a sense of belonging, or to make a contribution to the country of origin. But this only materializes in the presence of a supportive (favorable) environment."

A more cultural change, how do we encourage it?

"I think that positive lobbying activities, such as those of "Meet AlbTalents", are useful in breaking down resistance to change. It is very important to create a critical mass, both in Albania and abroad, to then ensure that regulatory initiatives and not to find a fertile ground to develop. "

What is “Meet Albanian Talents - Mee AlbTalents”?

"Meet Albanian Talents - Meet AlbTalents” is an effort to bring together all actors who want to contribute to promoting brain circulation. From young people abroad, who want to network (we have the As@an network model), to those who have returned and want to make their expertise available. From deputies, from all parties, who will support a law that curbs brain drain, from local administrators, regions and municipalities, which should accompany it with other measures to attract brains. For example: planning funding for startups, dedicated social services, or one-stop shops, like the one that has been implemented in the country. And finally, all companies that are aware that competitiveness is based above all on the availability of qualified human capital."

Some suggestions?

"The time when we will formulate the suggestions will be the conference "Meet Albanian Talents - Meet AlbTalents" on March 28 and 29, 2014 in Vlora. There will be several panels that will address these areas. The best practices for sharing will be discussed and from the dealing with the talents returned to Albania, legislative proposals will emerge, which will be given directly to the government. A way to ensure that a part of Albania, who have found opportunities abroad, make a contribution to improving the country's system. The Vlora region has been chosen as the venue for the conference, not only as a region that carries the entire complex problematic of this phenomenon, but also as a region that experiences this problem twice: emigration abroad and internal emigration towards Vlora. Through discussions, so far online on the Center's website, we ascertain a great sensitivity of the public or interested parties to this topic.