Ministerial working group on reforming society begins its work
The ministerial working group on reforming society held its first meeting on 14 September 2023. This working group will seek to reform public administration and digitalisation, thereby strengthening Finland as a whole.
The working group agreed its strategic priorities, which include promoting digitalisation and the data economy, public administration reform projects, preparedness and data security of critical ICT infrastructure, and the role of cities in boosting economic growth.
The ministerial working group is chaired by Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne, with Minister of Local and Regional Government Anna-Kaisa Ikonen serving as vice-chair. The other members of the working group are Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Anders Adlercreutz, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah, Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen, and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio.
Growth through humane digitalisation
The ministerial working group on reforming society will guide implementation of the Government Programme in extensively applying digitalisation, robotisation and artificial intelligence throughout society, and in public administration prioritising public needs and services. The goal is to enhance public sector productivity and operational efficiency through smooth and people-oriented digitalisation.
The ministerial working group will consider issues related to developing public administration, excluding the reform of social welfare and health care.
The ministerial working group will manage thematic entities in the Government Programme related to the data economy and digitalisation, communications and media policy, municipalities and cities, regional state administration, and general administrative policy.
“Digitalisation and automation must be harnessed for the benefit of all people and of society as a whole. We must also ensure that everybody remains on board, and that nobody suffers digital exclusion. The data economy enables a completely new kind of growth for Finland, and the Government will ensure that it pays to invest in Finland. In accordance with the Government Programme, Finland will seek to remain one of the world’s most successful countries in deriving prosperity from technology and digitalisation. Under the guidance of the ministerial working group, we shall support collaboration between various administrative branches, thereby accelerating digital development and working in a cost-effective way,” explains Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne.
Ministerial working group tackles major reforms in public administration
The Government is also seeking to ensure that municipalities remain capable of discharging their basic functions in future. For example, the Government is reforming the system of central government transfers and pruning regulations that govern municipal functions by such means as applying feedback from trials. The Government is also reforming regional state administration with a view to strengthening and harmonising permit and supervisory practices, and streamlining services for the public and for business.
“The common denominator in these reforms is to establish new ways of arranging services that work for people and businesses, and thereby to move society forward. Digitalisation has a major role to play in all of this. We also need close cooperation between various actors in public administration,” says Minister of Local and Regional Government Anna-Kaisa Ikonen.
The DigiOffice will serve as secretariat to the ministerial working group on reforming society in aspects related to the data economy and digitalisation. The goal is a more comprehensive reinforcement of cooperation, coordination and information flow between ministries in the field of digitalisation and the data economy. The DigiOffice includes members from all of the ministries.
Inquiries:
Marjo Lindgren, Special Adviser to Minister Ranne, tel. +358 29 534 2119, [email protected]
Minna Kurki, Special Adviser to Minister Ikonen, tel. +358 50 437 2718, [email protected]
Laura Eiro, Director General, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Secretary-General to the ministerial working group, tel. +358 29 534 2166, [email protected]
Jarkko Levasma, Director General, Public Sector ICT, Ministry of Finance, Secretary-General to the ministerial working group, tel. +358 29 553 0117, [email protected]