The private sector has started leveraging the ICT infrastructure for provision of its services. For example, tourism and travel services could be procured online or via phone, Internet banking is available to residents and businesses, and the network of ATMs is expanding. Even such traditional product as ready-forconsumption kava is available for ordering online6. Similarly, Vanuatu National Providence Fund provides a host of services, enabling its members to manage their accounts via ICT tools, including SMS and online. Vanuatu has a number of information technology companies. They play an important role in supporting the use of ICTs in the public and private sectors. Use of ICT tools by the local population has been enhanced by Bislamaadapted ICT tools, including a dictionary and a spelling tool, produced by community/non-governmental initiatives7. ICTs play an increasingly important role in a democratic participation and dialogue. The first ever nationwide Leaders’ Face-to-Face discussion, which connected the Honourable Prime Minister and the Honourable Leader of the Opposition with communities in all provinces via video-conference links, was held in 2012. Traditional media is discovering the Internet, which can already be used to access daily newspapers and local radio, as well as distributing news via SMS. Online-only media, such as the Vanuatu Daily Digest and the Pacific Politics Blog of the Pacific Institute of Public Policy, is emerging and becoming an increasingly important source of information. An increasing number of Facebook groups enhance the social and economic conversation. The largest of such groups (Yumi Toktok Stret) has more than 10,000 members. Currently around 9,000 Vanuatu residents (around 4% of the population) use Facebook8. The Government also pays a significant attention to ICT-related awareness and education of the public and specific stakeholders. A tradition to celebrate the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day with a host of public events commenced in 2012. Furthermore, a number of ICT-related workshops were Use of ICT tools by the local population has been enhanced by Bislama-adapted ICT tools, including a dictionary and a spelling tool, produced by community/ non-governmental initiatives” organized to enhance capabilities of ICT professionals. Civil society, including such organizations and groups as the Pacific Institute of Public Policy, the Vanuatu IT Users Society, ViewPex and the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC), is playing an increasingly important role in promoting and facilitating development and utilisation of ICTs. Local communities are also actively seeking to avail themselves of ICT-driven opportunities9. 6 http://www.enakamal.com.vu 7 See http://www.swtech.com.au/bislama/index.html 8 http://www.socialbakers.com, April 2013. 9 E.g., Women from Nguna Island organized themselves and, with help from the United States Peace Corps, obtained computers and relevant training. Current Situation and Challenges 17