The Scottish Government's Digital Influence

International Case Studies

87. To further consider the current status of Scotland's digital influence in an international context, two countries, Switzerland and Denmark, were identified for purposes of comparison. The comparison does not consider all aspects of these countries' activities, rather it focuses on 2 case studies:

87.1 Switzerland's 'Coherent foreign policy in the digital space', the Digital Foreign Policy Strategy 2021–2024;^[51] and

87.2 Denmark's 'Tech for Democracy' initiative (2021).^[52]

88. Today, several countries including Denmark and Switzerland are developing, or have developed, digital foreign policy strategies.^[53] These countries are predominantly of the type of country identified in the interviews as 'competitors' for Scotland, for example Canada, the Netherlands and Norway.

89. A comprehensive digital foreign policy strategy is a strategy document that outlines a country's approach to digital issues and digitisation in relation to its foreign policy. It touches on numerous digital issues and connects the dots between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries and key stakeholders. It also outlines areas of policy priorities on digitisation and how these priorities are pursued as part of the country's foreign policy.

Switzerland

90. Since the launch of Switzerland's Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23, digital has been one of Switzerland's four foreign policy priorities. The reason for this is that digitalisation is seen as improving the coherence of Switzerland's foreign policy strategy.

91. The Policy has four focus areas:

91.1 Strengthening of international governance and cooperation forums;

91.2 Digital self-determination for individual users;

91.3 International law; and

91.4 The use of digitalisation to improve international cooperation.

92. Digital also played a large part in Switzerland's 'Strategy for Communication Abroad' which aimed to promote Switzerland's international image abroad and help safeguard its best interests. It also aimed to raise the profile of Swiss businesses in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic through communication and networking platforms.

93. The Digital Foreign Policy Strategy 2021-24 builds on the earlier policy, which itself was developed from a 2017 mandate to explore 'how Switzerland could become the global epicentre of international governance in the area of cyberspace'. It therefore aims to 'raise Switzerland's profile in the area of digital governance, further develop its digital foreign policy and position International Geneva as a prime location for discussing digitalisation and technology'. The strategy is framed as a response to the UN Secretary General's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation and sets out the actions Switzerland will take in its digital foreign policy in the next few years.

94. The strategy recognises that digital is a new area for Swiss foreign policy, but it is presented as a continuation of Switzerland's proven approach to protecting its interests and promoting its values in a new 'space'. As the strategy says:

"The main aim of Switzerland's foreign policy is to promote its interests and values, as set out in the Federal Constitution. These interests and values do not change with the emergence of new technologies or the progress of digitalisation."^[54]

95. The Swiss strategy emphasises the benefits of a Whole-Government approach, building on cooperation between ministries and agencies. It also explicitly mentions capacity building in a foreign policy context and specifically emphasises that countries 'must have the necessary capacities, which include both the ability to develop strategies and policies as well as specific technical expertise' in order to reap the benefits of digitisation.^[55] The main learning for Scotland from the Swiss approach is that a digital foreign policy can help to deliver domestic benefits while raising international profile and promoting Scottish values.

Denmark

96. Digitalisation and technology are strategic priorities in Danish foreign and development policy. It is an area where Denmark aims to help set the global foreign and development policy agenda. Their approach is "based on our values, principles and experiences with a highly digitalised public sector".^[56]

97. Denmark positioned itself pro-actively with the launch of its "TechPlomacy" initiative, and the appointment of the world's first Tech Ambassador based originally in Silicon Valley (2017) but today with offices in Copenhagen and Beijing, with a global team and mandate. The TechPlomacy initiative aimed to focus efforts on achieving a safer and more just technological future.

98. Tech for Democracy is completely in line with the wider aims of TechPlomacy. It aim to bring together "states, multilateral organizations, tech sector representatives, and civil society to power up a multi-stakeholder push for protecting and promoting democracy and human rights in an era of rapid technological development."^[57] The initiative consists of an initial virtual conference to be held in November 2021. This will initiate a multi-stakeholder dialogue and lay the ground for a year of action before a high-level physical conference in Copenhagen in June 2022, which in turn will take stock of progress and provide a platform for raising commitments to strengthening digital democracy as a stepping-stone to the second US Summit for Democracy, a summit for leaders from government, civil society and the private sector focussed on challenges and opportunities facing democracies.^[58]

99. This initiative is a good example of how a small country can influence global discourse through a strategic approach using digital diplomacy and recognising that digital transformation and influence are core topics of contemporary international relations. As such, they are the subjects and objects of external relations as well as the means by which these are conducted.

100. Denmark's tech diplomacy is based on six roles:

100.1 A representative of the Danish government and the central administration who deals with the global tech industry (the 'Tech Ambassador');

100.2 An adviser who combines knowledge of technological developments, endorses innovation, and promotes technology as an issue of relevance for the foreign and security policy agenda;

100.3 A convener and coalition builder with global stakeholders, including other countries, the private sector, international organisations, and civil society;

100.4 A contributor, who shares expertise and insight with the Danish public on technological development and the impact of tech companies;

100.5 A policy developer who contributes to the development of Danish solutions to global challenges; and

100.6 A Global Champion who sheds light on Denmark's role as a digital pioneer and promotes Danish tech exports and foreign investment in Denmark.

101. The strategy recognises that the priority is the welfare of Danish citizens, as decisions made by the global tech industry have an impact on the lives of Danish people. The strategy therefore aims to gain insight into how citizens perceive technology through annual polls. It also organises public events to raise awareness of the benefits and challenges of new technologies, and includes multiple stakeholders in discussions on tech issues. It particularly highlights the need to include marginalised groups.

102. There are potential lessons for Scotland from Denmark's engagement with technology in its external relations. By doing so, Denmark, as a small nation, has achieved a status and influence that is globally recognised. In mid-2017, Denmark became the first country in the world to elevate technology and digitalisation to a crosscutting foreign and security policy priority. Other countries have followed suit including the UK which appointed its first Tech Envoy in 2020.^[59] Denmark is also committed, as noted above, to values (democracy) through its tech diplomacy.