How can the public sector collaborate towards a Digital Future?

Piers Kelly
02-Feb-2023

The world is rapidly becoming more digital, and governments around the world are recognising the need to transform themselves into digital organisations in order to keep pace with the changing needs and expectations of citizens. There are several countries that are leading the way in digital government, including Estonia, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Estonia is widely recognised as a pioneer in digital government, having implemented a range of innovative e-government solutions that have transformed the way the country operates. For example, Estonia has a fully digital government, with all government services available online and accessible to citizens via a single secure portal. The country has also developed a secure digital infrastructure that enables citizens to easily access government services and manage their personal data online.

South Korea is another leader in digital government, having implemented a range of innovative e-government solutions, including a national digital identity system, which allows citizens to access a range of government services online using a single digital identity, similar to the One Login System developed by the Government Digital Service in the UK. Alongside this, South Korea has developed a range of digital services, including a digital voting system, a national digital health record, and an e-tax system.

The UAE is also making significant strides in digitalisation, with the government committing to achieving a high-level of digital maturity by 2025. The country has launched several digital initiatives, including the establishment of a national digital infrastructure, the development of a national digital identity system, and the implementation of a range of e-government services, including e-health, e-education, and e-justice.

In the UK, the public sector is undergoing a digital transformation, with the government recognising the need to become a digitally enabled state in order to improve services and meet the changing needs and expectations of citizens. The UK government has set out a range of initiatives to support the digital transformation of the public sector, including the creation of a national data strategy, which sets out the government's vision for data use and management in the public sector.


One of the key strategies for the UK public sector to become a digitally enabled state is to embrace digital technologies and to implement digital services that are easy for citizens to use. This includes the development of a secure and scalable digital infrastructure, which enables the seamless sharing of data across government departments and with citizens. In addition to this, the UK government is investing in the development of digital skills, both in the public sector and among citizens, to ensure that everyone has the skills and knowledge they need to participate in the digital world.

Another important strategy is to ensure that the public sector is open and transparent in its use of data, and that it is accountable for how it collects and uses personal data. This includes developing clear policies and guidelines for the use of personal data, and ensuring that the public sector is transparent in its data practices, including how it collects and uses data and who has access to it.

The national data strategy is also critical to the success of the UK's digital transformation. The strategy sets out the government's vision for data use and management in the public sector, and provides a framework for the development and implementation of data-driven policies and services. The strategy also provides guidance on how the public sector can collaborate effectively with other organisations and with citizens to share data and knowledge, and to ensure that data is used for the benefit of all.

In conclusion, the UK public sector can collaborate for success by embracing digital technologies, investing in digital skills, and being open and transparent in its use of data. The national data strategy is an important part of the UK's digital transformation, and provides a framework for the development and implementation of data-driven policies and services. By working together, the public sector can become a digitally enabled state, improving services and meeting the changing needs and expectations of citizens.

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