Digital Government Podcast

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The pains of using tech buzzwords Sep 28, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Heiko Vainsalu, a Senior Expert on Technology at the e-Governance Academy, debunks the most viral tech myths. These myths, expressed by buzzwords, are accompanying us while we are talking or listening to discussions on digital transformation and government innovations.
Join us to find out:

What are today's most common tech buzzwords?
How the following tech buzzwords influence the digital transformation of a country?
In which area the real tech innovation is happening now?
What are the questions innovators should ask themselves while choosing a tech solution for a country or organisation?

Tune in to see through the buzzwords!

E-hääletamise uuendustest, turvalisusest ja heast tavast Sep 17, 2021

Show notes

Tänavu 17.oktoobril toimuvad kohalikud valimised, mille eel on kõigil soovijatel juba 12. korda võimalus e-hääletada. Pühendame oma saate e-hääletamisele ning e-riigi akadeemia eestvõttel loodud e-hääletamise heale tavale.
Saates räägivad e-hääletuse hea tava üks väljatöötajatest Liia Hänni ja kauaaegne valimisteenistuse juht, pregune E-riigi Akadeemia vanemekspert Priit Vinkel e-hääletamise protsessist ja tehtud uuendustest, valija- ja erakondade käitumisest, kordavad üle e-hääletamise põhitõed nii erakondadele kui valijatele ning kõige lõpuks ennustavad, kui populaarseks kujuneb e-hääletamine tänavu. Saatejuht on Hannes Astok. Head kuulamist!
Taustaks:
Elektrooniline hääletamine algab esmaspäeval, 11. oktoobril kell 9.00 ja lõpeb laupäeval, 16. oktoobril kell 20.00. Valijarakendus, mille saab enda arvutisse alla laadida, avaldatakse valimiste veebilehel www.valimised.ee vahetult enne e-hääletamise algust 11. oktoobri hommikul. E-hääletamiseks on vaja internetiühendusega turvalist arvutit ning kehtivate sertifikaatidega ID-kaarti koos kaardilugejaga või mobiil-IDd.
In English
In October 2021, local elections will take place in Estonia. Once again, citizens can cast their votes via the Internet as well. Due to that, we dedicate this episode to Estonian i-voting and the principles of fair i-voting, brought to you in Estonian.

The principles of fair i-voting were born from an initiative, of the e-Governance Academy in cooperation with political parties, in 2005, when i-voting took place for the first time. The aim was to cooperatively think through the specifics of i-voting, compared to traditional voting, and to ensure the smooth implementation of the new solution.

Liia Hänni, one of the developers of the principles, and Priit Vinkel, the former head of the State Electoral Office and current senior expert at the e-Governance Academy, talk about the i-voting process and innovations, voters’ and parties’ behaviour, i-voting principles, and finally, they predict how many citizens will cast their votes via the Internet. Just as a reminder, in the last European Parliament’s elections in 2019, 46.7% of voters used the opportunity to vote online, and in the Riigikogu elections of the same year, more than 247,000 voters cast i-votes.

Listen to the throwback of the i-voting experiences and the results of the Estonian local elections in English, on 20 October!

Will e-census be our next normality? Sep 17, 2021

Show notes

Estonia is preparing for its first e-census or register-based census, where all Population and Housing Census data will be compiled from the data of the national registers. About 24 national registers will be included, and they involve data on many fields of life. Only the information that is not available in registers will be asked from people. The e-census will take place at 00:00 on 31 December 2021.
Join our discussion with Liina Osila from Statistics Estonia to find out what have been the biggest challenges facing e-census and what preconditions a government must fulfil in order to conduct it. Also, you will find out what are the benefits of an e-census and finally, will the e-census be the next normality ?
Tune in!
Learn more at Statistics Estonia web-page .

Pros and cons of using biometric data Sep 15, 2021

Show notes

While we approach the international identity day on September 16, we are addressing the topic that concerns our identity and its use, online or offline. In today's episode, we explore with Kaija Kirch, Head of Digital Identity Technologies at Cybernetica AS, the pros and cons of using biometric data in identification and providing access online or onsite. In particular, you will learn
What is biometric data?
How is biometric data used in our everyday life by businesses or governments?
Why is the use of biometric data getting more and more topical?
What should we be aware of to avoid the misuse of biometric data?
Where do we start the effective and proper implementation of biometric data for public service provision?
How is Estonia using biometric data for public service provision?
Will biometric data replace other procedures in the future?
Tune in to find out!
The host of the podcast is Federico Plantera.

State's sovereignty in the digital age Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

The globalisation of economies, technologies and communication has challenged country sovereignty relative to actions and protection. In the global scene, we can witness every day how fake news attack democracy, and how hackers do the same to supply chains, electricity networks or hospitals. The problem of one country concerns simultaneously other countries too, as we all are connected to each other.
In today's podcast, Paul Timmers, a Research Associate of the University of Oxford talks about what are a country's sovereign assets, that need our attention in the digital age, and how can countries ensure both their protection and national sovereignty. The episode is hosted by Federico Plantera. Tune in!
Read more about the digital sovereignty discussion in the EU in Paul Timmers' article 'When Sovereignty Leads and Cyber Law Follows'

Digital Skills 3.0 Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

At the beginning of the school year, it is timely to talk about digital skills development since digital skills are one of the most critical enablers of digital transformation. In today's episode (a recording from the e-Governance Conference 2021), Kristo Vaher from Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication of Estonia, Cigdem Ertem (INTEL) and Kristel Rillo shed light on what kind of digital skills governments need to lead through digital transformation programmes, and who's the responsibility it is.
Some pure facts to introduce the topic:

12% is the number of people (engineers, architects) missing from the IT sector;
Over the year we need 1000 people more working as engineers, architects, ICT experts.
People already working in the ICT sector need to refresh their skills as ICT is in constant development.

What does it mean to the government that aims for digital transformation? Tune in to find out!
The discussion was held at the e-Governance Conference 2021.

Cyber exercises - the best way to train your cyber muscles Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

Cyber attacks are becoming a natural part of our digital life. Hence it is wise to know how to defend your data and infrastructure to avoid losses. In today's episode of the Digital Government Podcast, we invite you to explore how governments and organisations can be better prepared for cyber attacks. Two distinguished cyber experts Ragnar Rattas, from CybExer Technologies, and Merle Maigre, from eGA, talk about the cyber exercises, their kinds, features, and benefits. They also cast light on the recent cyber exercise held for Ukrainian cyber experts, and explain how to conduct them in a meaningful and efficient way. Interested in exploring more? Tune in!

How do Finland and Estonia benefit from the cross-border secure data exchange? Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Ville Sirviö, the CEO of the Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions (NIIS), casts light on how to get digital data securely running between two countries, based on the X-road trust federation, and how citizens of Finland and Estonia have benefited from it. As we know, Finland and Estonia are exchanging data of their population and business registers, and also their tax boards. Moreover, the information of medical prescriptions is also available across borders. Ville explains the enablers of making such data exchange happen and NIIS's role in all of this. Wondering how many countries have already functional X-Roads, or is the X-Road functional in your country as well? Tune in to find out!
After the episode, you are welcome to learn more about how the X-road has been implemented globally and could benefit your country at x-road.global

The role of civil society organisations in a digital society May 24, 2021

Show notes

In today's episode, Urmo Kübar, the former advisor to the Estonian President and the Executive Director of Praxis, talks about the role of civil society organizations in a digital society and explains how can they benefit from digital tools for building a more seamless society. Being involved in the Estonian civic society development for more than 20 years, he is the right person to cast light on the topic.
In the episode, he also makes a throwback to the early years of civil society organizations in Estonia, and brings examples of how a worldwide known civic initiative 'Let's do it!' has used digital tools to gain its purpose: clean the world from illegally dumped trash.
The episode is hosted by Federico Plantera.
Tune in!

Towards greater digital responsibility with governments and civil society organisations May 12, 2021

Show notes

This year’s e-Governance Conference – A Digital Decade in One Year – looks at the implications of the accelerated digital transformation resulting from the pandemic. The programme creates space to explore the new normal in which we find ourselves today, and the next normal that we are entering. In the build-up to the Conference, our podcasts will introduce some main speakers and topics that will take part in the programme.
Together with Kristina Mänd, Senior Expert on e-Democracy (eGA), we unpack the concept of digital responsibility and explore the role of governments as well as civil society organisations (CSOs) in achieving better outcomes in the field. Tune in!
At the upcoming e-Governance Conference, the session “Digital Responsibility: Government and the Civil Society View” on 20 May will dive further into the expectations for governments and CSOs in achieving greater accountability in the digital realm. Joining Kristina Mänd will be Robert Bjarnason, President & CEO of Citizens Foundation (Iceland) and Aldo Merkoci, Executive Director at MJAFT! (Albania).
Catch the LIVE discussion by registering to the conference at 2021.egovconference.ee/

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