Starting from the awareness that the European Union aims to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers are aimed to overcome the issues related to the profession and career of researchers in the European Research Area; in particular, they are intended to:

• address the risk of a shortage of researchers, especially in some fundamental disciplines, significantly enhancing the attractiveness of researchers' careers;
• have available sufficient and competent human resources in the field of Research and Development, capable of contributing significantly to scientific and technological progress, to improving the quality of life and well-being of the European citizens and to strengthening European competitiveness;
• foster the development of a positive attitude of the public towards the research profession;
• stimulate young people to pursue a career in Research and Development;
• enhance the participation of women in the field of Research and Development, favoring the creation of the necessary conditions for more sustainable and interesting careers for them;
• enhance geographic and inter-sector mobility as a tool for the professional development of researchers, by strengthening the recognition of the importance of mobility in the systems of career evaluation and professional advancement of researchers.