Spain’s King Felipe has called for action to prevent the country suffering a "lost generation" of scientists.
The 46-year-old monarch has urged the government to do something to halt the problem of young researchers being trained and then heading to work overseas, telling those assembled at a Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) 75th anniversary event that the loss would be "difficult to overcome and incompatible with the needs of a modern state."
The king called on public authorities and businesses "to drive a new advancement of Spanish science" to benefit society and highlighted the importance of science and new technology in the creation of new jobs.
He went on to urge everyone involved to work together to "favour the growth of science in Spain".
Felipe’s remarks were in contrast to those of Spain’s Education Minister, José Ignacio Wert, who claimed last year the flood of workers abroad was"not always a bad thing", and could be "one of the best things" to happen in a scientist’s career.
However, while the king – who was accompanied to the event by his wife Queen Letizia – admitted the movement of scientific talent was a positive thing, he insisted it shouldn’t "in any way" happen as a result of "unacceptably high unemployment levels".
Recent European Union figures show Spain is among the countries hardest hit by professionals leaving the country as a result of the economic crisis and soaring unemployment levels, while a new survey found 60 percent of young Spaniards are considering leaving Spain for work.
King Felipe’s science fears
