IN THE NEWS - World Economic Forum

IN THE NEWS -February 9, 2002: World Economic Forum¹

By Jerilyn Watson
This is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English program, IN THE NEWS.

The World Economic Forum meeting ended this week in New York City. About two-thousand-seven-hundred
heads of government, business leaders and members of non-governmental organizations met for five days. They
announced programs meant to improve living conditions in Africa. They also discussed security and economic
issues after the terrorist attacks on the United States.

The Forum is a private, independent group of business and political leaders. Its aim is to improve economic
growth and social progress throughout the world. For the past thirty-one years, it met in Davos, Switzerland. The
conference was held in New York this year to show support for the city after the terrorist attacks.

New York officials provided heavy security for the event. At one point, as many as
seven-thousand demonstrators gathered. Many of them protested the opening of
world markets for increased trade. They say easing trade restrictions² harms workers.
None of the demonstrations³ was as violent as at similar, past events in other cities.

During the meeting, the Group of Seven industrial
countries and Russia announced a five-hundredmillion-
dollar new project to help Africa. This project

would aid African countries that create programs to improve trade and investments.

American businessman Bill Gates and his wife Melinda head a private-assistance
organization. Mister Gates told the Forum that the organization is giving fifty-
million dollars to prevent H-I-V virus and AIDS disease in Africa. However, he said
private gifts alone would not solve poor health and living conditions. Former
Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo and activist⁴ musician Bono also discussed ways
to improve health and living conditions.

Many delegates at the World Economic Forum were concerned about the slow world economy after the terrorist
attacks in September. Some worried about the effects of the failure of the American energy company, Enron.
They said the problems of the company could worsen the worldwide economy.

Most speakers praised the United States led campaign against terrorism in Afghanistan. However, some
diplomats⁵ expressed concern that America might extend military action without seeking approval from other
nations.

In Porto Alegre, Brazil, forty-thousand people held a very different conference. The World Social Forum ended
Tuesday. Delegates denounced United States military action and defense⁶ spending. They discussed ways to stop a
Free Trade Area of the Americas. It was organized by the United States to provide a united trade area from
Alaska to Argentina by Two-Thousand -Five. World Social Forum delegates said free trade agreements increase
differences between rich and poor in the area.

This VOA Special English program In the News was written by Jerilyn Watson. I’m Steve Ember.

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1 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。

2 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

3 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

4 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

5 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。