Uruguay Digital

Uruguay: Digital Government and DN

In these years, Digital Uruguay has positioned itself at the forefront as a regional and world benchmark in digital development. This is shown by the indicators and also by the experiences that have been taken as an example and model, such as the digital inclusion of children and older adults with their own computers and tablets, livestock traceability, online State procedures, the National Electronic Medical Record, the digital signature for the entire population, the generalized incorporation in the Public Administration of documentary tools such as the digital file or digital communication and notifications. It is about using technology as a means to guarantee the digital rights of digital citizens. 

Uruguay´s digital development has earned the recognition of the leading countries in digital advancement worldwide. With its inclusion in the Digital Nations, Uruguay has been the first Latin American country to occupy a space of global decision regarding the development of digital societies. 

What is DN
Initially known as D5 due to the number of countries (South Korea, Estonia, Israel, New Zealand and the United Kingdom) that were grouped by it in its beginning, in 2014, bringing together leaders in Digital Government. In February 2018 it was renamed D7, as Canada and Uruguay joined. From the Summit held in Jerusalem in November 2018, this group began to be called D9 after the inclusion of Mexico and Portugal and Uruguay assumed its presidency. It later acquired its current name: Digital Nations.

DN members are committed to helping each other to be increasingly better digital governments, more agile and efficient, through exchange and joint learning.

The guiding principles of the DN aim at the development of connectivity, digital citizenship, childhood programming, open government, open standards and codes, and people-centred government.

How it works

During the D5 2014 summit, the five founding members signed a letter committing themselves to sharing and enhancing their digital economies and services. 

In said agreement, they stated that their collective goal is to "harness the potential global power of digital technology and help each participant to become an even better digital government in a faster and efficient manner by sharing and learning from each other.” Although they set several goals for areas that needed improvement, they recognized that not all criteria can be met upon joining and agreed to update the list as needed. The commitments set out in the letter were not binding and voluntary.

The established objectives were:

• User needs: public services for citizens.
• Open standards: a commitment to royalty-free open standards.
• Open source: government systems, tradecraft and manuals will be open source and shareable among members in the future.
• Open markets: support for start-ups and equal competition despite the size of the company.
• Open government: transparent and open licenses and data.
• Connectivity: creation and maintenance of a high-quality digital infrastructure that supports the digital population. 
• Digital programming literacy for children: providing children with the skills necessary to become the next generation of coders.
• Digital assisted: support to all citizens so that anyone can access digital services. 
• Commitment to sharing and learning: members share and work together to achieve the goals established.

Importance of Uruguay in the DN.
The incorporation of Uruguay means a great recognition for the country, since it is the only Latin American and Caribbean representative and as such, positions the country at the level of world leaders in digital governments.
In this context, Uruguay stands out for having reduced the digital divide, the implementation of the Ceibal Plan, its progress in the digitization of government services and its commitment to a more open and local government.

Participation in D9 is, in turn, an opportunity for Uruguay to contribute to the construction of the course of digital government at a global level and to be part of the debate on current and future topics, such as the ethical aspects of Artificial Intelligence or the applications of digital identification in everyday life.

How it works:

During the D5 2014 summit, the five founding members signed a letter committing themselves to sharing and enhancing their digital economies and services. 

In said agreement, they stated that their collective goal is to "harness the potential global power of digital technology and help each participant to become an even better digital government in a faster and efficient manner by sharing and learning from each other.” Although they set several goals for areas that needed improvement, they recognized that not all criteria can be met upon joining and agreed to update the list as needed. The commitments set out in the letter were not binding and voluntary.

The established objectives were:

• User needs: public services for citizens.
• Open standards: a commitment to royalty-free open standards.
• Open source: government systems, tradecraft and manuals will be open source and shareable among members in the future.
• Open markets: support for start-ups and equal competition despite the size of the company.
• Open government: transparent and open licenses and data.
• Connectivity: creation and maintenance of a high-quality digital infrastructure that supports the digital population. 
• Digital programming literacy for children: providing children with the skills necessary to become the next generation of coders.
• Digital assisted: support to all citizens so that anyone can access digital services. 
• Commitment to sharing and learning: members share and work together to achieve the goals established.

Importance of Uruguay in the DN.

The incorporation of Uruguay means a great recognition for the country, since it is the only Latin American and Caribbean representative and as such, positions the country at the level of world leaders in digital governments.
In this context, Uruguay stands out for having reduced the digital divide, the implementation of the Ceibal Plan, its progress in the digitization of government services and its commitment to a more open and local government.

Participation in D9 is, in turn, an opportunity for Uruguay to contribute to the construction of the course of digital government at a global level and to be part of the debate on current and future topics, such as the ethical aspects of Artificial Intelligence or the applications of digital identification in everyday life.

DN website