2007年VOA标准英语-World Bank Sees Some Progress in Africa's Gover

By Barry Wood
Washington
10 July 2007

The World Bank, in a report released Tuesday, says some African countries have made significant improvements in the way they govern themselves.   But the survey, covering 200 rich and poor countries, says progress has been uneven¹.  VOA's Barry Wood reports.

WorldBank.org screenshot

World Bank researchers say, over the past eight years, several African countries made advances in different areas.  It says Kenya, Niger, Sierra Leone made progress in freedom of expression and allowing citizens more participation² in choosing leaders.  Algeria and Liberia, it says, strengthened the rule of law. In the area of political stability, Sierra Leone and Algeria are mentioned again.  These two countries, along with Angola, Libya, Rwanda, are praised for improving their political stability.

Report co-author Daniel Kauffman says the data show it is possible to make considerable progress in a short period of time.

"You start to see results within five to eight years, as we've seen in the governance data, but also in terms of a pick up in [economic] growth, as we've seen in countries like Tanzania," he noted³.

But the World Bank report says some African countries, such as Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea, have moved backwards⁴.

The study covered six areas of governance, including the rule of law, control of corruption⁵, political stability, absence of violence and the capacity of the state to implement⁶ effective development policies.

The study asserts that effective governance leads to economic success. It says that, over time, good governance will lead to a tripling of per capita incomes.  Kauffman cites the example of Ireland.

"Between 1990 and 2005, 15 years, Ireland goes from $13,000 [dollars of per capita income] to $39,000," he added.  "It is now one of the richest countries in the world. It is a great success story."

The study finds that some developing and transition countries have matched the good governance levels of advanced industrial nations.  These include Botswana, Chile and Estonia, which are described as vibrant⁷ democracies with little corruption.

1 uneven   

adj.不平坦的，不规则的，不均匀的

参考例句：

• The sidewalk is very uneven—be careful where you walk.这人行道凹凸不平—走路时请小心。
• The country was noted for its uneven distribution of land resources.这个国家以土地资源分布不均匀出名。

2 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

3 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

4 backwards   

adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地

参考例句：

• He turned on the light and began to pace backwards and forwards.他打开电灯并开始走来走去。
• All the girls fell over backwards to get the party ready.姑娘们迫不及待地为聚会做准备。

5 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

6 implement   

n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行

参考例句：

• Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
• The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。

7 vibrant   

adj.震颤的，响亮的，充满活力的，精力充沛的，(色彩)鲜明的

参考例句：

• He always uses vibrant colours in his paintings. 他在画中总是使用鲜明的色彩。
• She gave a vibrant performance in the leading role in the school play.她在学校表演中生气盎然地扮演了主角。