VOA常速英语2014--麦凯恩研究所项目培养下一代领导人（在线收听）

'Next Generation Leaders' Head Home After US Experience 麦凯恩研究所项目培养下一代领导人

WASHINGTON—

Nine young people from around the world have been spending the past year in the United States - learning the ins and outs of local government. They’re the first participants in a “Next Generation Leaders” program, run by a Washington-based policy institute.

来自世界各地的九位年轻人齐聚美国，在过去一年中学习当地政府操作的方方面面。他们是 “下一代领导人”（Next Generation Leaders）项目的首批参与者。这个项目由设在华盛顿的政策机构麦凯恩国际领导力研究所运营。

The members of the group have spent their time working with American nongovernmental organizations and local governments - learning about the best practices in their respective fields.

项目成员在过去一年中与美国非政府组织和地方政府近距离接触，在他们各自的领域学习最佳实践。

The program is aimed at fostering “character-driven leadership,” and is run by the McCain Institute for International Leadership - named after U.S. Senator John McCain.

该项目发起者为麦凯恩国际领导力研究所（The McCain Institute for International Leadership ）——以美国参议员约翰·麦凯恩命名，旨在培养“人品高尚的领导人”（character-driven leadership）。

Senator McCain himself spoke at the ceremony. “We need to do everything we can to have the next generation of leaders best prepared in the turmoil that will be with us for some time,” he said.

参议员麦凯恩在仪式上讲话。他说：“我们需要尽我们所能，让下一代领导人为即将在未来伴随我们的动荡做最好的准备。

Though it’s based in Washington, the McCain Institute is part of Arizona State University, in the senator’s home state.

位于华盛顿的麦凯恩研究所同时是亚利桑那州立大学的一部分，亚利桑那是参议员麦凯恩的家乡。

Senior advisor Ben Freakley said the Institute will continue to support the graduates in their home countries.

麦凯恩研究所高级顾问本杰明·弗里克里说，研究所将在毕业学员回国后继续支持他们。

“It’s the McCain Institute’s job to draw attention to the work they are doing in their home countries. If they need resources or subject matter expertise or research by reaching back on Arizona State University - it’s our job to support them to be successful,” he said.

他说：“让大家关注学员们在各自国家的工作是麦凯恩研究所的职责。如果他们需要专业研究资源，可以联系亚利桑那州立大学。帮助他们获得成功是我们的工作。”

The graduates have various goals in mind as they return home.

回国之际，学员们各自有不同的目标。

Soraya Aziz Souleymane, who works for a mining company in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, would like to decrease the mining industry’s negative impact on local communities.

为刚果民主共和国一家矿业公司工作的索拉亚·苏雷曼尼想要减轻矿业对当地社区的负面影响。

“So, as I go back, I’m trying to implement that as I work with the North American mining companies. The program gave me exposure, and it also gave me a huge network of people working at various institutions that can make a very positive impact in my country,” said Souleymane.

她说：“回去之后，我会尝试在当地引进我在北美矿业公司的经验。 ‘下一代领导人’项目让我接触到很多东西，它还帮我建立了由不同机构工作的人们组成的关系网，可以为我的国家带来积极的影响。”

Zaheer Abbas is a civil society activist from Pakistan’s conflict-torn tribal areas. He wants to reduce violence in the region by offering programs to Pakistani men and boys to encourage changes in their perceptions of masculine behavior.

扎希尔·阿巴斯是一名公民社会活动家，来自巴基斯坦一个冲突不断的部落地区。他意欲通过培训项目鼓励巴基斯坦男性改变他们对男性行为的观念，从而减少冲突地区的暴力活动。

“I’m trying to make men to be peacemakers, targeting their masculine perceptions and also trying to make them better human beings to be helpful and supportive of women’s empowerment efforts at the [same] time,” said Abbas.

他说：“我试图让人们成为和平使者，针对他们的男性观点进行改变。让他们成为更好的人，能够支持并帮助提高女性地位的运动。”

Executive Director Kurt Volker said the eventual goal is to create a global network of people committed to democratic values and leadership.

执行主任库尔特·沃尔克说，项目最终的目的是致力于民主价值和领导力的人们创造一个全球网络。

“We are looking for people who are going to, in their own societies, advance those kinds of values to bring about better lives for the people in those countries and a better world environment for all of us to live in," said Volker.

他说：“我们寻找那些愿意在他们自己的社会推动先进观念的人，帮助他们改善本国人民的生活，创造更美好的世界。”

This year’s graduates now have returned to their home countries. The McCain institute hopes to double the number of program participants next year.

今年的毕业学员已经各自回国。麦凯恩研究所希望明年的参加人数能够翻倍。