Experiences in effective public governance and digitalization from a Nordic country

Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken gave an interview to The World and Vietnam Report. (Photo: Minh Thu)

Building trust from digital governance

To build an effective public governance system, the role of leadership is essential. Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken asserted that nations today need to establish methods to ensure local leaders can effectively utilize institutions and technology to meet public demands.

“Norway’s central government sets strict regulations for local authorities regarding digital systems, data, and public services. However, the implementation is left to the determination of local authorities, allowing flexibility within a unified technological and organizational framework. As a result, no matter where people live in the country, they should ideally receive public services of the same quality from their local government," the Ambassador explained.

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Norway has long been distinguished by its strong robust welfare system and inclusive governance model, consistently securing top positions in global indexes that assess governance and sustainable competitiveness. Ambassador Solbakken emphasized that the key of effective public governance lied in scientific data collection and planning. For instance, in Norway, if you know that 70% of the people living in your local area are over 60, as a planner, local authorities would prioritize healthcare services and nursing homes over investments in kindergartens.

According to the Ambassador, Norway has focused on striking the right balance between central and local authority while encouraging public participation to craft more inclusive and responsive systems. A noticeable feature of this strategy is the application of digitalization, enabling public services in this Nordic nation to be delivered swiftly, cost-effectively, and accessibly.

These high-quality services have fostered trust between the people and the government, contributing to a sustainable public governance framework.

Industry expert on Norwegian Public Management Halvor Walla speaks at the seminar. (Photo: Embassy of Norway)

The key to success

In addition, Halvor Walla, a Norwegian expert on public governance, shared insights with The World and Vietnam Report about the factors driving success in public administration and national development.

According to the expert, “Innovation is crucial for better governance and an effective and efficient public sector. And the keys for innovation, I would say, are transparency and objective data".

For countries working to enhance their public administration systems, objective data and confidentiality remain significant challenges. To address this, Walla notes that Norway employs independent auditors to control and verify reported data. This ensures citizens can confidently use a shared classification and data coding system, with accuracy rigorously audited and reliability upheld.

Regarding solutions for citizens’ barriers, particularly for vulnerable groups, the expert explained that Norway maintains physical support options for those who struggle with technology access, such as the elderly or people with disabilities. Notably, public services in Norway are not aimed for 100% digital services; physical offices remain available, with a strong emphasis on accessibility. The country has also developed technology solutions tailored for the blind and visually impaired, integrating them with other digital tools.

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