Around the world, governments and service providers are beginning to use digital communications technologies to connect people and services, and create local connections online.

Using eServices, organisations from the education, government, research, arts and culture, health care and non-profit sectors can experience ongoing improvements in their operations, eServices can:

• enable citizens to obtain and present relevant and timely community information
• provide easy access to services, automatically, anytime, anywhere
• provide better general support for residents, particularly seniors, mothers and children
• flexible work and home arrangements, integrated with education and childcare

Governments are now also harnessing the power of broadband technologies to engage and empower their citizens. Participatory democracy is possible through online communities and real-time forums, and people can form online communities to discuss ways to improve their local community.

Case Study: Community participation and responsive services
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