Government newsletter, 06 October 2011
Government newsletter - Sweden to be best in the world at IT
More than ninety per cent of Swedes are able to access broadband at home. Sweden is one of the world´s leading IT nations, but today the level of ambition will be raised even higher. Swedes will now also be best at utilising the opportunities of increasing digitisation of society, as the Government today presents its strategy "A digital agenda for Sweden."
Government agencies, enterprises, civil society and citizens have all contributed to the digital agenda. Seven round-table discussions were held last winter on IT issues and development of new digital social services, and a group of experts in the form of the Digitisation Council contributed advice, suggestions and inspiration on how Sweden can benefit more from digitisation of society and give people better opportunities to use digitial technology (see for example previous newsletters).
IT in the service of mankind
All this has led to the Government´s now presenting an integrated strategy to coordinate IT initiatives. IT in the service of mankind - a digital agenda for Sweden is also a springboard for the new IT policy goal that Sweden is to be the world leader in using the potential of digitisation. At the same time, a digitisation commission will be set up to work towards achieving this goal.
The digital agenda entails increased measures in the following four strategic areas:
1. Ease and security of use
As more and more of society is digitised it is important that everyone can share in the potential created. This concerns, for example, the ability of everyone who so wishes to use the Internet and other digital services in everyday life, as private individual, business operator or employee.
2. Services that provide benefits
People have varying needs for digital services in different phases of life. Consequently a greater and more varied range of attractive and easy-to-use services is needed from private and public actors. This kind of development stimulates the use of digital channels and contributes to making established industries and activities more effective. At the same time, new creative ideas, innovations and business models will emerge.
3. Infrastructure is needed
To make it possible to use and offer digital services, well-functioning electronic communications are needed. The Internet must be accessible and reliable, and data sent over the web must be handled securely. An important condition is that there is good access to telephony and broadband in all parts of the country. It is primarily the market actors who are responsible for, and invest in, communication networks.
4. The role of IT for social development
Increased digitisation affects all parts of society - in Sweden and globally. The development and use of IT also drives important social change. For example, the role of IT for a more sustainable society and global development, but also for research and innovation, people´s freedom on the web, and renewed forms of democracy, participation and transparency through increased openness.
