As technology continues to advance at rapid speed, the use of technology in government has become increasingly important. To build a digitally enabled state, governments need to keep pace with technological advancements and benchmark global digital government practices. In this blog, we will explore what the UK can gain from international perspectives to advance technology in government.
International Digital Collaboration
International collaboration is essential for advancing technology in government. The UK government can benefit from sharing knowledge and experiences, and by collaborating on joint projects. The Digital 9 (D9) group is a network of nine leading digital governments, including countries such as Estonia, Canada, and New Zealand, which have developed innovative digital strategies and technologies. Australia is another country that has a well-developed digital strategy with priorities that include improving service delivery, enhancing cybersecurity, and promoting innovation. The UK government can gain valuable insights from Australia's experience by collaborating with the country and seeing which of its best practices could be adopted in the UK.
Open Data
Open data is another area where international government perspectives can inform the UK government's approach. Many countries have implemented open data policies, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Australia has also invested heavily in open data, with the government implementing policies to make government data more accessible to the public. This approach has resulted in the creation of new businesses and jobs. The UK can benefit from Australia's experience and implement similar policies to promote open data.
Investing in Digital Skills
Investing in digital skills is crucial for building a digitally enabled state. To achieve this, it's essential to have a skilled workforce. Singapore is one country that has made significant investments in digital skills training for government employees. Australia has also invested heavily in digital skills training, with the country implementing a comprehensive training program for public servants that includes courses on data analytics, cybersecurity, and digital service design. By taking on board similar upskilling and training, the UK can continue to adapt to new technology advancements and challenges, with an equipped and skilled workforce.
Digital Identity
Another area where international government perspectives can inform the UK government is the use of digital identity. Estonia is a leader in digital identity, with a national digital identity system that allows citizens to access government services online securely. Australia has also made significant progress in digital identity, with the government implementing a digital identity system called myGovID. By gaining insights from Australia's experience the UK could note some key takeaways and embrace a similar digital identity system to improve the security and efficiency of its online services.
User Experience
Finally, user experience is a critical aspect of digital government. Citizens expect government services to be easy to use and accessible on any device. Denmark is one country that has a user-centered approach to digital service design. Australia also prioritises user experience in its digital services, with the country implementing a digital service standard that requires government services to be accessible, user-friendly, and designed with the user in mind. The UK government can take this opportunity to look into a similar approach and prioritise user experience in its digital services.
By collaborating with other countries, embracing open data, investing in digital skills, adopting digital identity systems, and prioritising user experience, the UK government can improve its technology infrastructure and provide better services to its citizens. It's clear that Australia, among other countries, can serve as a valuable example for the UK government to follow in its quest to build a digitally enabled state. The UK government can learn a lot from these international government perspectives and adapt them to fit its unique needs and circumstances. Ultimately, by working with other nations and drawing on their experiences, the UK government can take significant steps towards achieving its goal of building a modern, efficient, and technology-enabled government.
Discover more about adopting and learning from technology advancements from governments internationally at Digital Government, live and in-person at the QEII Centre, London. At this year's event, speakers including government representatives from South Australia, New South Wales (Australia), Lithuania and Brazil will unite to offer unique insights from across the world. Passes are free for the public sector - find out more here.