The Bhutanese Leading the way.
During a recent press meet with the European Union delegations, Estonia’s Ambassador to New Delhi, Marje Luup, shared invaluable insights into her country’s remarkable progress in e-Governance and cybersecurity. She emphasized that this success is largely due to the right attitude and support from the political leadership, highlighting how a government-led initiative transformed Estonia into the digital hub known as e-Estonia.
In the mid-1990s, Estonia embarked on a transformative journey to modernize its public sector using digital technology. The objective was clear: to enhance citizen interactions with the state through innovative electronic solutions.
Ambassador Marje Luup said, “With e-Government, people can fill in long and frustrating government paperwork online in a matter of minutes. This shift not only simplified administrative processes but also fostered a culture of efficiency and transparency.”
“The foundation of Estonia’s digital success lies in strategic government initiatives. In 1994, the country began drafting its first IT development strategy, which included permanent funding for IT. This commitment laid the groundwork for subsequent advancements. The launch of the Tiigrihüpe (Tiger Leap) program in 1996 marked a significant investment in computer and network infrastructure, particularly in education. Education was the cornerstone of our digital revolution,” she added.
The Ambassador said that Estonia’s government has also embraced a variety of e-services that cater to citizens’ needs. From e-Government to e-Business, e-School, and e-Health, these initiatives have made government services more accessible. Since 2000, Estonians have been able to declare their taxes online, showcasing the effectiveness of digital solutions.
A key component of Estonia’s digital infrastructure is the Estonian X-Road, which facilitates the seamless exchange of information between public and private services. This system, along with the widespread issuance of electronic identification cards, enables citizens to utilize digital signatures securely.
The success of Estonia’s digital state is rooted in collaboration. “Digital society is a team sport,” the Ambassador said, emphasizing the shared responsibility between the government, private sector, academia, and civil society. This collaborative approach has fostered innovation and transformed the public sector’s mindset to prioritize citizen needs, ultimately enhancing service delivery.
“Through partnerships, we’ve been able to export our e-Government solutions, contributing to economic growth,” she added.
However, with a digital society comes the challenge of cyber security. Estonia has adopted a cyber security in- and by-design mindset, integrating cyber command into its defense capabilities. This proactive approach has cultivated expertise in cyber security, making Estonia a recognized leader in the field.
The Ambassador said, “Solid investments in cyber security and defense have positioned us as one of the most valued international cyber security experts.”
The establishment of the EU IT Agency Headquarters, eu-LISA, and NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Center of Excellence in Tallinn reflects Estonia’s commitment to cyber security.
The Ambassador said, “Innovation in Estonia is often born out of strong public-private partnerships where challenges are sought together, and the best model is chosen for the specialists from the private sector to execute. Not all public-private partnerships get off the ground, but in Estonia, the tendency has been for success and, mostly, widespread adoption in recent years.”
