Europe in fight for top talent

By William Horsley Writer on European affairs

Global competition for top talent is fierce despite the economic downturn

Imagine a future time when Europe is no longer seen as a rich continent, or in the top rank of leaders in technology.

It is a time when Africa is producing more students with advanced degrees than Europe. The population of Europe is shrinking fast because of ageing and a brain drain to the east.

In this picture roles have been reversed: China has become a big destination for Europe's top brains and talents, who are lured there by high salaries. And China is a world leader in cutting-edge science and technology.

Sheer fantasy? No. These are elements of a possible scenario put forward in Brussels on Wednesday by experts and leading public figures from Europe and North America in the Transatlantic Council on Migration, which calls itself an "idea factory" for western governments.

One of their key pieces of advice is that Europe should take part more actively in a "global war for talent" - a hunt for people with special skills who will play a key part in deciding which countries stay competitive and prosper.

The concept seems to run against the grain of popular attitudes in hard times like these. As Europe and America plunge into what looks like a deep and prolonged recession, European governments are taking steps to cut immigration and to return more illegal immigrants to their countries of origin.

See graph showing main destinations for students

But the Transatlantic Council says European countries should now make extra efforts to attract people from all around the world who have soft skills (like health care), specific skills (like IT) or "superskills".

The council's members include Trevor Phillips, chairman of the UK Commission on Equality and Human Rights, and Rita Suessmuth, a former president of the German parliament.

Star quality

In fact European countries are already engaged in cut-throat competition for top talent from places far away. The super-skilled, above all, can generate success in the form of extraordinary wealth.

Kaka is staying with AC Milan despite an eye-watering offer

Take the case of the ultra-talented Brazilian footballer Kaka: he made history this week by turning down an offer by an English club, Manchester City, to move there from AC Milan for a world-beating transfer fee reportedly exceeding