VOA常速英语2020--USAID新数字战略

The rapid development and adoption¹ 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 utilize² 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 ecosystem³ due to inadequate⁴ infrastructure⁵, and the high costs of service and equipment, or they may be overlooked because of their religion, political views, lack of economic power or gender⁶. 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 banking⁷ 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 implemented⁸ during the course of five years, will strengthen open, inclusive and secure digital ecosystems⁹ 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。

1 adoption   

n.采用，采纳，通过；收养

参考例句：

• An adoption agency had sent the boys to two different families.一个收养机构把他们送给两个不同的家庭。
• The adoption of this policy would relieve them of a tremendous burden.采取这一政策会给他们解除一个巨大的负担。

2 utilize   

vt.使用，利用

参考例句：

• The cook will utilize the leftover ham bone to make soup.厨师要用吃剩的猪腿骨做汤。
• You must utilize all available resources.你必须利用一切可以得到的资源。

3 ecosystem   

n.生态系统

参考例句：

• This destroyed the ecosystem of the island.这样破坏了岛上的生态系统。
• We all have an interest in maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem.维持生态系统的完整是我们共同的利益。

4 inadequate   

adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的

参考例句：

• The supply is inadequate to meet the demand.供不应求。
• She was inadequate to the demands that were made on her.她还无力满足对她提出的各项要求。

5 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

6 gender   

n.（生理上的）性，（名词、代词等的）性

参考例句：

• French differs from English in having gender for all nouns.法语不同于英语，所有的名词都有性。
• Women are sometimes denied opportunities solely because of their gender.妇女有时仅仅因为性别而无法获得种种机会。

7 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。

8 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

9 ecosystems   

n.生态系统( ecosystem的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There are highly sensitive and delicately balanced ecosystems in the forest. 森林里有高度敏感、灵敏平衡的各种生态系统。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Madagascar's ecosystems range from rainforest to semi-desert. 马达加斯加生态系统类型多样，从雨林到半荒漠等不一而足。 来自辞典例句