The Values-Driven Digitalisation Work Agenda was presented in 2022 by Alexandra van Huffelen, then State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations. This agenda set the government’s direction for a digital society and laid the foundation for subsequent policy. Below is an overview of the key themes, actions, and results, and how the agenda has been succeeded by the Netherlands’ Digitalisation Strategy (NDS).
Structure of the Work Agenda
The Work Agenda is built around 5 programme lines:
- Everyone can participate in the digital age
- Everyone can trust the digital world
- Everyone has control over their digital life
- A digital government that operates in a values-driven and open way for everyone
- Strengthening the digital society in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom
Each programme line follows a consistent structure, with priorities developed across 5 dimensions: societal challenge, achieved results, objectives, intended indicators, and actions.
Progress
In December 2023, a review was conducted, revealing that numerous actions had been implemented:
- A cross-government vision on generative AI was developed in open dialogue with academia, industry, and civil society organisations.
- The federated data system and the advisory function for responsible data use were further advanced.
- Efforts were made to increase resilience against disinformation (particularly during elections), enhance digital skills, and strengthen digital security and privacy.
- The government’s data and information management was improved, ensuring better record-keeping and accessibility, including for transparency in governance.
- For the Caribbean Netherlands, digital infrastructure and basic services (such as internet and citizen service numbers) were strengthened.
In 2024, further actions from the Work Agenda were taken, including strengthening cybersecurity, improving information management, and supporting digital skills development.
New Direction
On 7 July 2023, the Rutte IV cabinet fell and remained in a caretaker capacity until the formation of the Schoof cabinet on 2 July 2024. With this transition, the implementation of the Work Agenda was concluded, and focus shifted to the Netherlands’ Digitalisation Strategy (NDS), which sets the course for the coming years.
For the full content and commentary, see the Values-Driven Digitalisation Work Agenda (PDF).
