6 A . B A S I C P R I N C I P L E S O F O U R D I G I TA L P O L I C Y istence. The technology-neutral nature of our existing system of values allows sufficient flexibility for new technological developments. Amendments are only required where existing law fails to cover new developments or where a lack of enforcement arises. Working together to shape the digital transformation Everyone should be able to develop their own full potential on the Internet and play a role in shaping the Internet. Companies do this by driving innovative technologies and developing new business models and bringing these to market. Individuals play their part by using digital offerings and services both at work and as part of their daily lives. Digitisation also gives everyone an opportunity to become part of the digital space. By contributing content, making information available or developing software, individuals play an active part in the digital world. This scope for creativity must be preserved and enhanced. Science, education and research are essential to a successful digital transformation, and are drivers for innovation. These sectors have a duty to open up new topics for discussion and to support technology developments going forward. This will further everyone’s ability to understand and deal appropriately with ongoing processes of transformation. A key objective in this context is the early detection and realisation of potential for innovation. In all areas of education, developing well-rounded media literacy will help people to respond competently and responsibly to digitisation, and will also impart values for building social cohesion in a digitised world. We must also ensure that the huge opportunities presented by the Internet and digitisation, in particular the new forms of communication and access to information they enable, are fully exploited for the purposes of learning and research. The State is also a major player in the digital space. By using and creating demand for modern IT solutions, making use of the latest digital administration services and insisting on innovative IT security and data protection, we want to act as a beacon for digitisation in Germany. Through open data, i.e., the publishing of machine-readable state data on the Internet, we will strive to create greater transparency and promote new digital services. We will work with our partners in industry and science to ensure early identifi­ cation of key technology developments that drive growth and the specific promotion of these developments – while at all times observing the budgetary policy objectives set out in the coalition agreement. Instruments of the Digital Agenda Implementation of the Digital Agenda is an ongoing process, which requires continuous further development and adjustment supported by dialogue. We will therefore collaborate closely with the German Bundestag, the Länder and local authorities, civil society, industry and science, as well social partners, those responsible for data protection, and representatives of the Internet community on a long-term basis to implement and further develop the Digital Agenda. We envisage the following two key components of this collaboration: zzAlignment of the IT Summit with the Digital Agenda Close dialogue between the Federal Government and all relevant groups must occur under a single umbrella to optimise intensive exchanges of information about the key challenges posed by the digital transformation. We will open up the national IT Summit as a platform for collaboration between policymakers, industry, science and civil society to facilitate a process of broad social and economic dialogue. We will also ensure that the IT Summit focuses on the main spheres of activity covered by the Digital Agenda. zzThe Federal Government’s “Digital Agenda” steering committee We are establishing a cross-departmental “Digital Agenda” steering committee dedicated to the early detection and discussion of new developments. Full membership of the committee is composed of the State Secretaries of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (the Ministry charged with special responsibility for the Digital Agenda within the Federal Government), the Federal Ministry of the Interior, and the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. The steering committee will involve the other relevant federal departments in the implementation and further development of the Digital Agenda.