VOA常速英语2008年-African, International Business Leaders Share T

By Uma Ramiah
Ouagadougou
21 April 2008

African government and international business leaders have gathered in the capital of Burkina Faso to share innovative¹ technology in use across Africa. Participants at the second annual ICT Best Practices Forum² say the ideas shared this week will have a far reaching, positive impact on healthcare, education, business and government. Uma Ramiah has more for VOA from the conference site in Burkina Faso.

The 2008 African Information and Communication Technology Best Practices Forum kicked off in Ouagadougou, bringing together leaders from business and government to share proven and often ingenious uses of technology across Africa.

In partnership³ with technology giant Microsoft and the European Union, organizers say the forum is intended to help African countries use new technology to improve lives where other methods have failed.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer spoke⁴ at the forum's opening ceremony.

"Let me start by being clear that information and communications technology will not solve all of the problems of the poorest people in the world," he said. "But in a world where a cell phone will have the power of a personal computer, and wireless⁵ networks will provide access to the internet from almost any location, technology can really have a significant impact. There are exciting pockets of innovation where Africa is already delivering breakthroughs that are applicable around the world."

Mr. Ballmer cited an example from Kenya, where cell phones are using a new digital payment technique to transfer money, at low cost.

"In truth, I am also here because I am excited by Africa's incredible potential, and its undeniable progress," he said. "You have vast natural resources, but more than that you have an incredible richness in human resources - nearly a billion people, almost two thirds of them under the age of 30 and anxious for progress, for opportunity, and for prosperity."

Mr. Ballmer said current trends in technology, including smaller devices, increased and more compact data storage, and the expansion of wireless internet access would help overcome barriers to technology in Africa - where cost, limited access, and a lack of training have kept many from reaping its benefits.

Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaoré thanked participants for their willingness to share experiences and expertise⁶. Emphasizing the importance of technology in development and its role in pushing towards the U.N. Millenium Development Goals that aim to eradicate⁷ poverty, Mr. Compaoré encouraged African nations to work together and to use techniques that have worked for neighboring countries. He says information technology empowers and creates new opportunity in Africa.

Sessions this week will cover topics such as technology in healthcare, education and governance.

From a livestock⁸ identification and tracing system in Botswana to a computerized passport and ID card management system in Somalia, forum participants will share stories of their successful and often highly creative technology solutions in hopes of contributing to sustainable development in Africa.

Conference leaders say African nations can only benefit from sharing technology success stories.

1 innovative   

adj.革新的，新颖的，富有革新精神的

参考例句：

• Discover an innovative way of marketing.发现一个创新的营销方式。
• He was one of the most creative and innovative engineers of his generation.他是他那代人当中最富创造性与革新精神的工程师之一。

2 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。

3 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 wireless   

adj.无线的；n.无线电

参考例句：

• There are a lot of wireless links in a radio.收音机里有许多无线电线路。
• Wireless messages tell us that the ship was sinking.无线电报告知我们那艘船正在下沉。

6 expertise   

n.专门知识(或技能等)，专长

参考例句：

• We were amazed at his expertise on the ski slopes.他斜坡滑雪的技能使我们赞叹不已。
• You really have the technical expertise in a new breakthrough.让你真正在专业技术上有一个全新的突破。

7 eradicate   

v.根除，消灭，杜绝

参考例句：

• These insects are very difficult to eradicate.这些昆虫很难根除。
• They are already battling to eradicate illnesses such as malaria and tetanus.他们已经在努力消灭疟疾、破伤风等疾病。

8 livestock   

n.家畜，牲畜

参考例句：

• Both men and livestock are flourishing.人畜两旺。
• The heavy rains and flooding killed scores of livestock.暴雨和大水淹死了许多牲口。