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The topic of digitalisation is quite mainstream nowadays. The fear of being watched all the time with no privacy became our routine reality. There are a lot of books and movies that show us how technology might be used by the government, evil corporation (which sometimes is the same thing) or crazy villain. For instance, The Mitchels vs The Machines, Black Mirror and well-known Orwell’s prophetic book. This topic is still being accurate and people keep arguing whether it is possible to replace people with machines.
Nevertheless, as we all know, technologies might be not only evil, but also quite useful – thanks God we do not have to wait for a dove to bring our letters anymore. This trend for digitalisation is followed not only by companies but also by the governments of different countries. The most digitized countries from the EU based on the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) are Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Netherlands and Ireland. However, in this article I want to extend my thoughts about one specific country. You might have never thought about it in such circumstances – especially right now, when you can see this country’s flag all over the world – blue sky and yellow field. Exactly,I am talking about Ukraine. This is my Motherland, so I would like people to know more about how awesome my country is.
The head of Ministry of Digital Transformations Mikhail Fedorov has launched both web-site and app called Diia -Дія ( https://diia.gov.ua/)where you have all your digital document and online public service. Let`s go through all of this with more details. First of all, the origin of the name comes from getting 3 words together – Government And I – Держава І Я (in case you know how to read in cyrylica), so in English it would be GAI. One more interesting quibble is that Diia in Ukrainian also means “action”.
A little bit more about the app itself – it is the folder where digital copies of user documents are stored. And they are officially recognized by the government as analogues of paper or plastic documents. At the initial stage, immediately after the launch of the application, only two documents could be kept in digital form – a driver’s license and a vehicle registration certificate. For a large part of Ukrainians who had neither, this application was useless, but it relieved drivers of the need to copy in the glove compartment and almost eliminated the danger of receiving a fine for forgotten rights. Later, the digitized documents were accompanied by an ID-passport, a biometric passport and a student card. Digital documents are verified using a QR code. “We plan that the e-passport will completely replace ID-cards and paper ones,” Mikhail Fedorov said. The Facebook page of the Ministry of Digital Transformations claims that Ukraine is the first country in the world where it is possible to use a digital passport and at the same time not present a paper or plastic analogue.
Despite that, in Diia you can include your vaccination certificate (both in Ukrainian and English). Also, to encourage people to vaccinate and use Diia, our government provided a service “isSupport” , where you can receive 1000 hrn via this app if you have a green COVID certificate and spend this money to buy books, gym membership or tickets to any cultural events to support business after COVID-19. The 1 000 hrn is €30 , which is enough in Ukraine to visit the cinema 2-3 times and buy 2 – 4 books. I can say that it was 100% effective based on my life experience. I originally come from a small town (almost a village), where we have almost no events and no cinema or theatre, so most of my friends and relatives have spent this money on books, even these ones, who never actually read.
Besides, you can pay fines, renovate some of your documents and even create a document to become an Individual entrepreneur.
Diia app is also accurate in current circumstances, as the “isSupport” service has changed its function, so now people from some particular regions who have lost their jobs because of the war can receive 7 500 hrn (€230), but this time they can spend them whenever they want. Additionally, via this app you can help Ukrainian army and inform them whether you have seen an enemy equipment of the occupiers or find a game “isBayraktar” where you are trying to bomb russian tanks.
To my mind, Diia is a very convenient and useful app, which helps us to be closer to our government and treat it better. Nevertheless, there are some problems that are currently trying to be solved. For instance, still not every person has a modern smartphone and even if they do, not everyone feels a need to understand how it works – now I am mostly referring to older people. Anyway, Ukrainian government has chosen the right direction of development and I am very proud of it.
#StandWithUkraine
Sources:
https://pershij.com.ua/iak-diie-diia-pliusy-ta-minusy-dodatku-vid-mintsyfry/
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/countries-digitisation-performance
file:///C:/Users/Admin/Downloads/DESI_2021__Austria__eng_CyMmpdtn46A0xGG2v5vMgdYK3E_80487.pdf
https://zaxid.net/rozrobnika_feykovoyi_diyi_zaprosili_na_stazhuvannya_u_mintsifri_n1529178
A government that prioritizes content of citizens of their country is a precious one. They gain reputation with being a support and not bribing folk.