Brain drain and international migration of scientists: The case of Greece

Abstract

Tn this paper an effort was made to dispassionately
examine the Greek «brain drain» within the
context of international migration of scientists.

Brain drain was analyzed as a symptom and as an
aspect of the Greek social structure and the problem
of Greek migration in general.
Certain conceptual/theoretical and empirical aspects
of «brain drain» controversy as they impinge
upon particular countries including Greece were explored.
Indeed, the purpose of the paper was primarily
exploratory and diagnostic and only secondarily
therapeutic and ameliorative in nature. Regarding
the latter an agenda of interconnected specific
and general recommendations were offered as
pedagogical and policy guidelines. These guidelines,
however, should not be construed as the only alternatives
in bringing about change in Greece.
It is the opinion of this author that whatever
changes should be initiated should first spring from
within the Greek social structure. A rational long
range plan grounded in past, present, and future
realities and potentialities of Greek brain power
should be initiated vis-a-vis the needs and prospects
for the national development of the Greek nation
within the European and Middle-Eastern community
of nations.
In planning her future development, Greece can benefit
and capitalize from Greek scientists in the diaspora
without necessarily committing herself to a
policy of their repatriation. Indeed, it seems to this
writer that Greek «brain drain» can be transformed
to a «brain drain» and/or «brain exchange» if
the national and educational leadership in Greece
adopt a cosmopolitan posture regarding science and
encourage both Greek scientists in Greece proper
and those Greek and non-Greek scientists overseas
who are interested to carry out individual or joint
research and teaching in Greece.