"The idea of this Conference is to take further steps in improving the mobility and careers of researchers. Building the ERA is one of the priorities set by the Belgian presidency. Within this priority line, the Researchers' conference, with its objectives of stocktaking AND delineating future pathways towards better careers for researchers, will be one of the flagships of the Belgian presidency. It is intended to bring 250 stakeholders (public and from the business sphere) in Brussels to discuss the researchers' career and mobility, and all issues connected.Its purpose is manifold.1) Its first intent is to take stock of the progress made on EPR implementation, highlight best practices and identify common approaches if applicable. Time is right to think upon what has been achieved already and what the issues at stake are. More specifically, the four pillars of the Steering Group for Human Resources and Mobility will be discussed in detail, along with some others. Among these, we can find flexicurity, working conditions, gender issues, specificities of the research careers, pensions …2) Moreover, the conferences wishes to highlight gaps and challenges in EPR implementation.3) Thirdly, it intends to take stock of the implementation of the ""Scientific Visa"" directive and promote it with the relevant stakeholders including the media and local governments. The visa measure can be seen as one of the cornerstones of the mobility of the researchers. Also for this dimension, remaining obstacles will be looked at and a strategy will be defined as to how we can proceed in this dossier.4) Last, but certainly not least, focus areas for the near future following the conference will be identified and recommendations will be made on where we can go from here, potential new initiatives and next steps to be taken."