Good governance, especially in the digital age, is of great importance. Yet many government organizations find it difficult to use digital technology in a responsible way that focuses on public values. For example, when making decisions about digitization or implementing projects. How do you ensure that algorithms do not discriminate? Or that the use of drones by municipalities does not cause nuisance? And what does storing large amounts of data mean for the environment?
Legal rules sometimes provide clear guidelines, but not always. Especially when it comes to the impact of digital technology on values such as inclusion and autonomy. How do you make sure these values remain protected? The Code of Good Digital Public Administration (CODIO) helps government organizations answer these questions and shape good digital governance.
The CODIO is a values framework that helps government organizations shape digitization responsibly. It complements the Code of Good Public Governance. The CODIO contains values that governments can adhere to to ensure good digital governance. And deals with the question of which values are relevant when digitizing public administration and to which citizens can hold government organizations accountable.
The CODIO has 3 foundations:
Democracy
Rule of Law
governance
These 3 form the basis for good digital governance. They ensure that policies are implemented democratically, equitably and vigorously. These foundations are elaborated in 32 values, such as non-discrimination, explainability, privacy and inclusion. These are the values that organizations must safeguard.
While CODIO does not provide a blueprint for good digital governance, it does help organizations recognize, discuss and properly deal with value conflicts in digitalization. In this way, they can help shape their public responsibility. All government organizations are responsible for good digital governance, especially when using technologies such as big data, algorithms or chatbots. Organizations must consciously consider the values at play around digitization and ensure measures are in place to protect these values.
To support government organizations in using the CODIO values framework, Berenschot and the University of Utrecht, commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, have developed a tool and manual.
The CODIO tool consists of two mutually aligned modules: CODIO Strategy and CODIO Project. The tool was developed to provide tools for applying the CODIO values framework. The main goal is to strengthen good digital governance with an approach that helps at both strategic and practical levels within government organizations.
CODIO Strategy offers administrators a module to embed good digital governance at the strategic level. The module consists of steps implemented primarily by directors. It is a tool to drive change in the organization and really put digital values into practice. Thus, it not only helps to establish values, but above all it focuses on actions to secure the values in the organization.
CODIO Project helps organizations make explicit the choices around public values in technology projects. The module includes a workshop in which participants, both internal and external, discuss public values and principles of good digital governance. The results help to apply these values in practice and keep a close eye on them.
To use the CODIO tool in one's own organization, Berenschot and Utrecht University have developed a manual. This describes per module, 4 steps that organizations can take to use the CODIO. View the manual on the website of the Senate.
