VOA常速英语2020--USAID新数字战略（在线收听）

The rapid development and adoption of digital technology along with the tremendous growth in mobile phone ownership and mobile broadband usage is transforming industries, governments, economies and societies the world over. That is why the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, rolled out in mid-April its first Digital Strategy. This strategy will utilize digital technologies to improve its work in development and humanitarian-assistance, and help countries on their journey toward self-reliance through the responsible use of digital technology. Even though digital technology can be a great equalizer, there is a danger that those who stand to gain the most from the benefits provided by these new technologies could be left behind. Four billion people, nearly half of the world's population, do not have access to the internet. Vulnerable or marginalized groups may be shut out of the digital ecosystem due to inadequate infrastructure, and the high costs of service and equipment, or they may be overlooked because of their religion, political views, lack of economic power or gender. The gender digital divide is of great concern as it continues to grow in the developing world.

数字科技的迅速发展和采用，以及移动手机用户数量和移动宽带使用量的巨大增长，正在改变世界各地的行业、政府、经济和社会。所以美国国际开发署（USAID）在四月中旬推出了其第一个数字战略。该战略将利用数字技术改进其在发展和人道主义援助方面的工作，并通过负责任地使用数字技术，帮助各国实现自力更生。尽管数字技术可能是一个很好的均衡器，但也存在危险：那些本应从这些新技术带来的好处中获益最多的人可能会被甩在后面。40亿人，接近世界人口的一半，无法使用互联网。脆弱或边缘化群体可能会因为基础设施不足、服务和设备成本高而被排除在数字生态系统之外，或者他们可能会因为宗教、政治观点、缺乏经济实力或性别而被忽视。性别数字鸿沟在发展中国家持续增长，令人十分担忧。

According to the Global System for Mobile Communications, or GSMA, an industry organization that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide, women, on average, are 8 percent less likely than men to own mobile phones and also 43 percent less likely to have access to the internet. This means that half the world's population, mostly women and girls, lack the ability to access information, health care, government and banking services, weather forecasts and new learning tools available on the internet or over mobile devices. USAID is committed to not leaving the poor and marginalized behind. Its digital strategy, to be implemented during the course of five years, will strengthen open, inclusive and secure digital ecosystems in each country where USAID works, and use these powerful tools to help transform and improve lives, spur economic growth and strengthen communities. It will enable women and men to live freer, healthier and more prosperous lives while contributing to the goal of ending the need for foreign assistance.

根据全球移动通信系统（GSMA）一个代表全球移动网络利益的行业组织，平均而言，女性拥有手机的可能性比男性低8%，上网的可能性也低43%。这意味着全球有一半的人口，大部分是妇女和女童，缺乏获取信息、医疗保健、政府和银行服务、天气预报以及互联网或移动设备新学习工具的能力。USAID致力于不让穷人和被边缘化的人掉队。其数字战略将在五年内实施，该战略将加强其中每个国家的开放性、包容性和安全的数字生态系统，并利用这些强大的工具帮助改变和改善生活，刺激经济增长和加强社区。它将让女性和男性过上更自由、更健康、更繁荣的生活，同时为实现结束对外国援助需要的目标做出贡献。