Social security revolution: Digital future is being shaped now!

Social security revolution: Digital future is being shaped now!

A comprehensive reform initiative to renew the German state is being pushed forward under the patronage of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The initiators are prominent personalities such as former federal ministers Thomas de Maizière and Peer Steinbrück as well as Federal Constitutional Court President Andreas Voßkuhle. The project is supported by 54 experts from different areas, including mayors, school principals, entrepreneurs and scientists. The aim is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the welfare state by reducing bureaucracy and digital transformation tu-dortmund.de reported.

A working group for social affairs and education, led by Peer Steinbrück, has already formulated seven recommendations. Aladin El-Mafaalani from TU Dortmund contributed his expertise to this working group. A central proposal is to pool responsibilities for social security within the federal government. Five federal ministries currently manage around 170 different services, which are implemented differently by almost 30 authorities. The recommendations also include the creation of a central digital platform for regular services.

Education in focus

Another suggestion is to clearly organize responsibilities in education between the federal, state and local governments. Central to this reform is the establishment of a “National Education Council”. This is intended to bring together representatives from the federal government, states, science and school practice. The aim is to formulate coherent political guidelines that are based on administrative and practical experience. Schools should also be given more self-determination when it comes to learning content and educational standards.

The discussion about the reform measures takes place in a tense social context. In a recent speech, Steinmeier emphasized the need for cohesion in society. Current challenges, such as the pandemic, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, inflation and climate change, are leading to uncertainty and tension. Protests and the increasing acrimony in public debates illustrate the concerns of many citizens bundespraesident.de determines.

Digital transformation as the key

In order to make the welfare state future-proof, digital transformation is of central importance. The Society for Insurance Science and Design e. V. has presented a roadmap with concrete demands to accelerate this development. This roadmap contains ten central demands, which, among other things, call for legal reforms and the establishment of digital offerings as primary access to social benefits. The focus is on cooperation between social insurance providers and health actors, such as gvg.org reported.

Finally, a cultural change is sought to promote digital transformation. Closer cooperation between actors, sectors and institutions is necessary so that the welfare state can respond to the needs of citizens in a more modern, efficient and effective manner. While the final report of this reform initiative is expected in a few months, the proposals are already in active coalition negotiations.