2007年VOA标准英语-UN Taps African Religious Leaders in Fight Agai

By Scott Bobb
Johannesburg
05 April 2007

The United Nations is seeking to enlist¹ religious groups in Africa in the war against human trafficking. The head of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime announced the initiative during a visit to South Africa. Southern Africa Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from Johannesburg.

A sex worker steps into a van for a medical check-up in Guediawaye, Dakar

The head of the U.N. office on drugs and crime, Antonio Maria Costa, says faith-based groups have a major role to play at various levels of human trafficking.

"Religious-based organizations can play a very active role in increasing awareness², in making sure that individuals who offer themselves and eventually become victims of trafficking are alerted about the severity of the tragedy they may face," he said.

He said faith-based groups also have the power to pressure governments to strengthen efforts against human trafficking and enforce the laws against it.

Finally, he said religious groups can help persuade those who engage in human trafficking or exploit its victims that they are involved in what he called an evil trade.

He called the meeting positive and noted³ that religion can be a powerful motivator against evil in human beings.

"We may organize a very major inter-faith forum⁴ so we can launch a very strong message about the severity of the problem and the importance of religious leaders and religious-based organizations to do something about it," he added.

The archbishop of Capetown is seeking to organize a gathering⁵ of religious leaders from around the world in anticipation⁶ of an international conference in Austria later this year. The conference is to produce a plan of action and a special fund to fight human trafficking.

The United Nations says millions of people in more than 120 countries are victims of human trafficking and their bondage⁷ produces an estimated $32 billion per year for their exploiters.

During his visit, Maria Costa also discussed with South African officials ways to strengthen the fight against illegal drug trafficking and consumption. He said these have increased in Africa in recent years, in part, because of successful campaigns against them in wealthier nations.

1 enlist   

vt.谋取(支持等)，赢得；征募；vi.入伍

参考例句：

• They come here to enlist men for the army.他们来这儿是为了召兵。
• The conference will make further efforts to enlist the support of the international community for their just struggle. 会议必将进一步动员国际社会，支持他们的正义斗争。

2 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

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 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

5 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

6 anticipation   

n.预期，预料，期望

参考例句：

• We waited at the station in anticipation of her arrival.我们在车站等着，期待她的到来。
• The animals grew restless as if in anticipation of an earthquake.各种动物都变得焦躁不安，像是感到了地震即将发生。

7 bondage   

n.奴役，束缚

参考例句：

• Masters sometimes allowed their slaves to buy their way out of bondage.奴隶主们有时允许奴隶为自己赎身。
• They aim to deliver the people who are in bondage to superstitious belief.他们的目的在于解脱那些受迷信束缚的人。