Italian National Research Council adopts the European Charter for Researchers
The National Research Council of Italy (CNR) has adopted the 'European Charter for Researchers' and the 'Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers'. On 11 October, the Board of the CNR, the largest Italian public research organisation, agreed to transpose the general principles and requirements laid down in the Recommendation of the European Commission 2005/251 into a CNR regulatory framework. 'The National Research Council of Italy, in compliance with the European Commission Recommendation 2005/251, has reaffirmed its will to value and encourage researchers' careers and to abide by its principles: freedom of research and ethical principles as regards performing research, producing and disseminating research results', says a communiqué issued by the organisation. The Recommendation lays out a set of rules that, within the context of a European framework, define the relationship between researchers, employers and/or funders and respect transparency and competencies and create sustainable systems of career development throughout the researcher's working life, thus making the research profession more attractive. The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment were published by the Commission in March 2005. Both documents are designed to improve the working conditions and careers of scientists in Europe, and thus contribute to the objective of raising the number of qualified researchers working in the EU. The Charter and the Code will give individual researchers the same rights and obligations wherever they may work throughout the EU. The rationale behind these actions is that if researchers are provided with a fair professional environment, this will foster a more creative and better atmosphere for them and, consequently, enhance their research performance. Since their publication, the European Commission has been calling on Member States to implement them, highlighting the fact that the immediate success of the two initiatives depended on the readiness of Member States and national research bodies to take them forward. According to the CNR, 'the decision taken by the Administration Board of CNR represents a significant step in the ongoing reform of the CNR within the reform of the Italian research system. Specific provisions concerning researchers' rights and obligations have been inserted into the new rules and legislative arrangements; all this is in line with the content of the European Charter and Code'. More specifically this means that in the 'new CNR', researchers will take an active part in planning activities by taking on board new forms of scientific responsibility for building-up their professional careers. Career recognition and development constitute a focal point for the CNR strategy which aim to increase the national patrimony of knowledge through the development of scientific research; this has been firmly stated in the last '2005-2007 CNR's three years plan', where the significance of improving human capital was stressed. The public statement issued by the organisation concludes by saying that 'with the agreement to apply the ''Charter'', the CNR confirms that it will take action to improve the perception of researchers' professional activity and it will assure the respect of research and ethical principles such as: freedom of research, research performance, the dissemination and exploitation of research results'.
Countries
Italy