Promoting digital transformation, young parliamentarians shape their own future

The world we live in is characterized by rapid technological development, digital transformation and innovation. As decision-makers, parliamentarians from many IPU member parliaments attending the 9th Global Meeting of Young Parliamentarians affirmed the role of young people at the heart of this innovation.

Improving the legal framework - a fundamental factor Digital transformation is taking place in countries at different levels, showing that the most important fundamental factor for this process is to perfect institutions and policies to promote digital transformation, ensure inclusiveness and sustainable development, and focus on people, including promoting digital infrastructure, digital ecosystems, and effective solutions to link digital transformation with sustainable development and leave no one behind.

Promoting digital transformation, young parliamentarians shape their own future -0 — *Delegates from Thailand share at the discussion session. Photo: Ho Long*

Sharing at the discussion session, the representative of Thailand said: As the second largest digital economy in Southeast Asia, the "Golden Temple" country is determined to build a "Digital Thailand", sustainable and inclusive development, optimizing the application of digital technology in socio-economic activities, especially for the development of e-commerce and digital innovation. The Thai National Assembly plays a central role in this process, with many policies and laws to promote an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem, while helping to narrow the digital gap... Accordingly, first , the Thai Government strengthens the completion of digital infrastructure to ensure full and fair access to the digital economy for the whole society, thereby narrowing the digital gap. Second , apply digital skills training programs for workers. And, finally , strengthen the legal environment, minimize legal barriers so that people can benefit from the digital transformation process. The Thai government is making efforts to build an e-wallet. This is a new project and each citizen has 10,000 baht in their wallet and this amount is valid for 6 months to stimulate consumption. The Vietnamese National Assembly has also made many efforts to perfect the legal framework to promote digital transformation. In particular, it has amended the Law on Electronic Transactions, the Law on Radio Frequency and is in the process of amending the Law on Telecommunications; at the same time, it has issued the National Strategies on Digital Economy and Digital Society Development to 2025, with a vision to 2030, the National Digital Transformation Program to 2025, with a vision to 2030, the Strategy for E-Government Development towards Digital Government for the period 2021 - 2025, with a vision to 2030... These are important legal documents to promote the development of the national digital ecosystem. Technology helps bring the “future” into the “present” decision-making process. Digital transformation in parliamentary activities cannot be separated from the general trend of digital transformation in all areas of social life. Promoting the application of information technology in parliamentary activities aims to develop a digital parliament, helping to increase the effectiveness of parliamentary activities as well as the connection between parliament and voters.

Highlighting the role of technology in legislative activities, MP Walter Cervini from the Uruguayan Parliament emphasized: Technology is creating rapid change that requires appropriate models, conceptual frameworks and methods to solve problems. In order for decision-making bodies to respond effectively to this rapid transformation, effective “policy prediction” is needed. Parliaments have an important role in ensuring that predictive governance is applied throughout the entire parliamentary governance structure, in which the application of technology plays an important role in the policy prediction process. Noting that Uruguay will host the Summit of the Commission for the Future in the next few days, MP Walter Cervini said that the importance of “incorporating the future into current decision-making is undeniable”. Parliament's preparation in "bringing the future" into the present requires technology because science and technology allow policy making based on full and practical information, whether it is about environmental protection, development or conflict resolution, and policies must truly meet the needs of life. He also said that the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians with its content focusing on the topics of digital transformation and innovation, and startups is a premise for the issues that will be discussed at the upcoming Committee Conference in Uruguay. "Integrating the future into the current activities of parliament is also a mission to attract more young people to be active in current decisions that can affect future generations." The Uruguayan parliamentarian also emphasized that all world problems can only be solved if we discuss and cooperate together, especially among young legislators and young people. And therefore, the Global Young Parliamentarians' Conference hosted by the Vietnamese National Assembly this time is a "meaningful meeting" to promote the connection between parliaments in addressing the challenges posed by digitalization. Protecting citizens in cyberspace with legislative tools While promoting the exploitation of the power of technology and innovation in a changing world, parliaments must also strive to protect citizens from risks, ensure that they are used for humanity and the environment, while ensuring privacy, security and happiness.

Sharing at the discussion session, Mexican congresswoman Cynthia Lopez Castro, who is also President of the IPU Women Parliamentarians Forum, said that the Mexican Parliament recently passed the Olimpia Act, which has become a "protective net" for women against bullying and abuse on digital platforms. Previously, the dissemination of any private images, information, or video clips without the consent of women in Mexico was not considered a crime. Therefore, the Olimpia Act criminalizes cyber violence. Argentina also passed a similar law in July 2022. These are great efforts to combat violence against women online. The speaker from Mexico hopes that the recognition of legislative experience sharing through this Conference will motivate young voices around the world to speak up about the urgent needs for their national parliaments to enact similar laws, protecting the dignity of generations of women in particular and internet users in general, for today's and future generations. The Olimpia Law is not only an important legal milestone but also a testament to the efforts of the Mexican parliament to restore justice for people in today's digital world. Narrowing the digital divide - creative approaches of many countries The digital divide is a barrier to development. The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that where people do not have access to the internet, that place is also at a disadvantage in terms of information, health care, employment and education.

Sharing the efforts to narrow the digital gap, the delegate from China said that the country has a large number of social media users. However, China still has 2.7 billion people who do not have access to the Internet and some new areas have only about 30% Internet coverage. To promote narrowing the digital gap, China has adopted many policies, such as giving money through e-wallets to people, including those in remote areas, promoting network channels or mobile payments, online payments, building a cyberspace for young people last year, and China's digital economy is ranked high in the world and accounts for more than 40% of GDP. In addition, China is actively participating in consultations and sharing on mechanisms such as the WTO, promoting the signing of international cooperation documents such as the BRICS digital economy or the G20 digital economy development strategy. The MP from Lithuania said that the country has devoted a large amount of resources to the application of information technology in agencies. For example, in 2020, there were 25 agencies using a centralized information technology system, and so far there are 156 agencies, and when Lithuania finishes this process, it is expected to have 325 agencies. The Government's systematic investment in digital infrastructure will help agencies not have to invest in their own facilities anymore, and risk management will also be centralized. Lithuania also sets a target of 90% of the population using digital technology by 2030, especially vulnerable groups, including the elderly, low-income people, people with disabilities, etc. Lithuania's Digital Government Portal is also a very effective platform, with 39 types of convenient and fast public services such as business registration, income registration, etc. People can access 62% of Lithuania's public services online. To address challenges related to digital technology, from 2022, Vietnam will deploy Community Digital Technology Teams nationwide with the core being young people, with the goal of "going to every alley, knocking on every door", guiding each citizen to use digital platforms. In particular, focusing on 5 basic digital skills: Using online public services; Online shopping; Online payment; Self-protection in cyberspace; Using other digital platforms depending on local characteristics. To date, 63/63 provinces and cities have established Community Digital Technology Teams in each village, residential group, residential area, hamlet, of which 52/63 provinces and cities have completed 100% to the commune level. This is a practical model for Vietnam to ensure that no one is left behind on the digitalization journey. Young people are familiar with new technologies and have the full value of promoting new solutions for the benefit of society and of themselves. As IPU President Duarte Pacheco shared: “As young parliamentarians born into the digital world, you must be leaders in applying technology to address the challenges we face. Digital transformation is an area where young parliamentary voices can take the lead to proactively shape your own future.”

One of the key solutions to achieving the SDGs is to harness the power of digital technology. Digital technology has proven its power, changing the lives of billions of people around the world for the better. Digital technology creates changes in work, the economy, the way health services and other public services are used. Digital technology also has great potential to help us address the consequences of the climate change crisis, through monitoring the Earth's climate through satellites, smart sensor networks, supporting industries, increasing efficiency in the field of transportation, smart agriculture, early warning of natural disasters... Digital technology has become indispensable in today's life. However, 1/3 of humanity is not yet connected to the Internet, this is the mission set for the Organization for Education, Science and Culture - UNESCO, to promote safe and sustainable global access; especially the role of young parliamentarians, the young generation taking on the responsibility of leading the future of the country. We encourage and support investment in sustainable development, increasing the use of digital skills, digital investment startups; At the same time, addressing digital inequality, to ensure that everyone can share the opportunities from connectivity, regardless of where they live or their age. That is why we have the Generation Connect initiative - This initiative quickly attracted countries from all over the world to participate. The digital world is developing and young parliamentarians in particular, and the young generation in general, play a very important role in promoting digital technology development and ensuring sustainable development. Deputy Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Tomas Lamanauskas

Quoc Dat - Linh Anh