2007年VOA标准英语-UN Alliance Works to Bring Internet Access to A

By Margaret Besheer
New York
19 September 2007

A new U.N.-sponsored initiative is being launched to bridge the "digital divide" and connect African countries with each other and the rest of the world. VOA's Margaret Besheer reports from U.N. headquarters in New York, where the world body, governments and the private sector¹ are working to bring Africa's 900 million inhabitants online.

The African continent is the fastest-growing cellular² phone market of any region over the last five years, but has not been able to replicate³ that success with the Internet. Fewer than four out of every 100 Africans have access to the worldwide web.

Experts say upgrading Internet access, or what they call ICT for Information & Communication Technology, will enhance development and enable Africans to compete more effectively in the global marketplace.

Mohsen Khalil of the World Bank says the "Connect Africa" initiative, which aims to make Internet connectivity widely and cheaply accessible, will create an information revolution in Africa. "When you give access to a human being you unleash⁴ the power of human innovation and entrepreneurship. It is really so powerful all they need is access," he said.

International Telecommunication⁵ Union President Hamadoun Touré says the "e" in "electronic" will also stand for "economy," because improving Africa's Internet connectivity will increase its wealth. "ICT [Information & Communication Technology] today is a catalyst⁶, is an enabler, is a tool for all sectors⁷ of economy: be it education - "e-education," be it government - "e-government," be it business - "e-business," or health - "e-health," every sector will have the 'e' component⁸ in it," he said.

The average monthly cost for broadband service in Africa is three times higher than in Asia. The initiative's creators say marketplace competition and private sector investment will lower the cost of Internet connectivity. They are also trying to model their strategies in Africa after successful ones in China, India and other countries.

Organized under the U.N.'s Global Alliance for ICT and Development, the "Connect Africa" initiative kicks off next month at a summit in Kigali, Rwanda.

1 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

2 cellular   

adj.移动的；细胞的，由细胞组成的

参考例句：

• She has a cellular telephone in her car.她的汽车里有一部无线通讯电话机。
• Many people use cellular materials as sensitive elements in hygrometers.很多人用蜂窝状的材料作为测量温度的传感元件。

3 replicate   

v.折叠，复制，模写；n.同样的样品；adj.转折的

参考例句：

• The DNA of chromatin must replicate before cell division.染色质DNA在细胞分裂之前必须复制。
• It is also easy to replicate,as the next subsection explains.就像下一个小节详细说明的那样，它还可以被轻易的复制。

4 unleash   

vt.发泄，发出；解带子放开

参考例句：

• They hope to create allies to unleash against diseases,pests,and invasive species.他们希望创造出一些新群体来对付疾病、害虫和一些有侵害性的物种。
• Changing water levels now at times unleash a miasma of disease from exposed sewage.如今，大坝不时地改变水位，从暴露的污水释放出了疾病瘴气。

5 telecommunication   

n.电信，远距离通信

参考例句：

• Telecommunication is an industry of service.电信业是一个服务型的行业。
• I only care about the telecommunication quality and the charge.我只关心通信质量和资费两个方面。

6 catalyst   

n.催化剂，造成变化的人或事

参考例句：

• A catalyst is a substance which speeds up a chemical reaction.催化剂是一种能加速化学反应的物质。
• The workers'demand for better conditions was a catalyst for social change.工人们要求改善工作条件促进了社会变革。

7 sectors   

n.部门( sector的名词复数 )；领域；防御地区；扇形

参考例句：

• Berlin was divided into four sectors after the war. 战后柏林分成了4 个区。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Industry and agriculture are the two important sectors of the national economy. 工业和农业是国民经济的两个重要部门。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

8 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。