Ilves Calls for Creation of IT Minister's Post
President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who has long shown himself as an advocate for furthering the role of IT in government, has suggested that Estonia establish an IT minister.
Ilves was speaking at a conference at the Kumu Art Museum on Friday titled "Estonian IT Vision 2020: Kick Off."
“We should give up the model of ministerial division of labor that dates from the 19th century and create an IT minister position who is responsible for, and guides, the country's digital development," Ilves said. "The existence of an IT minister would allow developments in education and workforce policy to be implemented more energetically.”
IT has become a major part of the Estonian government and the field is the key for Estonia's international competitiveness, Ilves said. He said all of Europe is currently focused on the digitization of public services and furthering IT needs to be both a public and private sector initiative.
"The long-term goal could be to make Estonia into an IT hub - this could be done over the course of 25 years," Ilves said.
Estonia has spearheaded e-elections, e-taxes, e-school, e-medicine, e-parking and other innovative public services that Ilves has said reduce corruption and cut costs. The country is also home to European and NATO IT agencies and was the victim of what experts have said was the world's first cyber war in 2007. A recent Freedom House survey also ranked Estonia as having the freest internet in the world. Ilves said a new International Telecommunication Union regulation should avoid restricting internet freedom.
“Despite the world's best efforts, millions remain in poverty. The IT transformation will create massive opportunities all over the world […] Cyber security is needed to prevent oppressive governments and criminals wreaking havoc,” Ilves said in his speech at the UN General Assembly in September.