What are the communities of institutions that come together around the world for citizenship and digitalization?

 

Digitalization and Citizenship: Basic Concepts

Digitalization is the process by which states and institutions transfer their public services, bureaucratic processes, identity verification systems and citizen interactions to the electronic environment. This process is not only a technological transformation, but also reshapes the society's understanding of citizenship, rights and obligations.

The concept of digital citizenship is also at the center of this transformation:

Citizens can now identify themselves and access their rights not only with physical identity cards, but also with digital identities, e-government portals, mobile applications and blockchain-based systems.

International Communities and Institutions Working on This Issue:

1. Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA)

This formation, supported by the UN, promotes the production of digital public goods. It wants to ensure that the basic infrastructures for digital citizenship (e.g. identity systems, data sharing standards, open source software) are accessible, transparent and impartial.

The goal: To ensure that digitalization is fair not only for rich countries but also for low and middle-income countries.

 2. GovStack Initiative

Creates a common language for countries that want to develop digital government services in a “modular” way.

For example: Universal building blocks of systems such as e-ID, e-Payment, e-Permit are being created. In this way, countries can establish digital citizenship systems faster and more securely.

3. ID4D — Identification for Development (World Bank)

This initiative of the World Bank aims to include individuals without IDs worldwide in the digital system. Because digital identity is the basic step to achieving citizenship rights.

The goal: For everyone to have a reliable digital identity and to be able to participate equally in social and economic life.

4. Decentralized Identity Foundation (DIF)

They are developing decentralized identity systems. In other words, it is based on the logic that citizens’ identity information should not be collected in the hands of a single state or company, and that people should manage their own digital identities.

Blockchain technologies are widely used here.

5. UNDP Digital

The digital transformation arm of the UN Development Program. It particularly supports underdeveloped and developing countries in establishing digital citizenship services. It also provides guidance on issues such as digital rights, data privacy and ethics.

6. World Economic Forum (WEF) — Digital Identity Initiative

WEF addresses the issue of digital identity not only in terms of technology but also in terms of social trust, privacy and human rights.

It discusses how these systems will be transparent, inclusive and ethical together with many countries and technology companies.

7. Open Government Partnership (OGP)

It positions digitalization as a tool for transparency, accountability and citizen participation. OGP member countries make reform commitments every year on e-Government systems and digital citizenship solutions.

Fast service: Instead of waiting in line at government offices, citizens can transact online.

More inclusive systems: Even people without ID can be granted citizenship rights through digital means.

Data security and privacy: Digitalization brings both freedom and risk. That's why international standards are being set.

Global cooperation: States can provide cross-border services by integrating digital citizenship systems. (For example, the European Union eIDAS system.

Türkiye's Digitalization and Citizenship Journey

Turkey is one of the countries that has developed its digital state infrastructure since the 2000s. Especially with the e-Government Gateway (https://www.turkiye.gov.tr/), it was able to transfer citizenship services to the digital environment.

1. e-Government Gateway (2008 - )

Türkiye's digital citizenship platform.

Currently, it hosts more than 1000 public and private services.

Many services such as digital identity verification, tax payments, criminal records, social security, education, health are online.

2. Identity Cards and Electronic Identity Verification

Turkey switched to new chip-based identity cards as of 2017.

These cards can perform digital identity verification with NFC-supported devices and are used at border crossings with some countries.

A digital identity verification infrastructure similar to the European Union's eIDAS system is being developed.

3. Open Data and Artificial Intelligence Strategies

Turkey published its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy in 2021.

Open Data Portal studies are being carried out for the transparent sharing of public data.

4. International Collaborations

Turkey was a member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), but its membership was suspended in 2017 due to problems with obligations.

It aims to develop systems compatible with the European Union's eIDAS (Electronic Identity and Secure Digital Transaction) legislation.

Although there is no official membership in initiatives such as ID4D and Digital Public Goods Alliance, Turkey's projects generally progress in parallel with the standards determined by these communities in technical terms.

5. Turkey's Central Digital Strategy Actors:

Presidency Digital Transformation Office: Coordinates digital public services and develops strategies.

TÜBİTAK BİLGEM: Conducts digital security, identity verification, artificial intelligence and blockchain projects.

 BTK: Provides a regulatory framework for issues such as digital rights, personal data security, and electronic communication.

Turkey's Strengths and Weaknesses in the Digitalization Process:

Strengths:

The e-Government infrastructure was established early compared to many countries.

Identity verification systems (chip ID cards, mobile signature, e-signature) are widespread.

The central government has made major investments in digital transformation.

Weaknesses / Areas Open to Development:

Limited transparency regarding open data sharing.

Legal control mechanisms regarding digital rights and citizen data security need to be strengthened further.

More cooperation can be made with EU and UN projects regarding integration with international standards.

Türkiye's Place in the Global Perspective:

Turkey has a technically strong infrastructure regarding citizenship and digitalization, but it is not an active leader with international communities in this field, but rather an implementer.

In particular, issues such as mutual recognition of digital identity verification systems are being worked on with the European Union.

 According to United Nations reports, Türkiye is listed in the group of medium-high level countries in terms of digital government infrastructure.

Hilal BSAL(Pınar Emir)