VOA标准英语2013--肯尼亚50年独立以来的进步与挑战

 

Kenya Marks 50 Years of Independence Amid Progress, Challenges 肯尼亚50年独立以来的进步与挑战

NAIROBI, KENYA — Kenya on Thursday celebrated¹ the 50th anniversary of its independence from Britain, with a call for greater national unity² to overcome longtime  ethnic³ divisions.

In an exuberant⁴ ceremony at a stadium outside Nairobi, Kenyans commemorated⁵ their country’s Golden Jubilee⁶.

Neither particularly young, nor especially old, age 50 is a good time for Kenyans to measure progress, and reflect on the challenges ahead.

In his address, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said independence was not won easily, and that challenges remain in uniting the country where ethnic violence threatens  peace and development.

“Our shared aim is to end meaningless ethnic tension and rivalry⁷ and to unite all our citizens.  I am determined⁸ to provide leadership toward the attainment⁹ of this  noble objective,“ he said.

Tighter coordinationKenyatta also said the way forward for Kenya is greater integration¹⁰ with African nations. He announced new initiatives to this end, including the easing of visa  requirements for African citizens to travel to Kenya.

“Africa has always stood by Kenya as we seek integration and growth, and we, in return, will always stand by Africa which is now the center of our nation’s economic  policy,” he said.

Kenyatta is the son of the country’s first president Jomo Kenyatta, who on December 12, 1963 oversaw¹¹ the lowering of the British flag, and the raising, for the first  time, the flag of Kenya.

Similar ceremonies took place across the country as Kenyans were swept up with a feeling of national pride.

National unity questionsA veteran of the Mau Mau freedom fighters who fought colonial rule, Gitu Wa Kahengeri, remembers the joy of that moment. “In the middle of the celebration where  Kenyatta was addressing the celebration, listeners were extended for about 2 miles, surrounding that area. It was as if nobody was left at home on that day.”

Though proud of Kenya’s progress in health and education, he said the country has lost something of the dream of national unity.

“We wanted the people of Kenya to come together, to love each other and to help each other the way we can. It is not happening. The young generation of today instead  of looking over the mountains, they are looking down at their shoes,” said Kahengeri.

Kenya has suffered dark moments in its history, none much darker than the inter-ethnic violence that followed the 2007 election, leaving more than 1,100 people dead.

Kenyatta and his deputy are facing trial at the International Criminal Court on charges they helped orchestrate the violence - charges that have overshadowed their  time in office. 

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

3 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

4 exuberant   

adj.充满活力的；（植物）繁茂的

参考例句：

• Hothouse plants do not possess exuberant vitality.在温室里培养出来的东西，不会有强大的生命力。
• All those mother trees in the garden are exuberant.果园里的那些母树都长得十分茂盛。

5 commemorated   

v.纪念，庆祝( commemorate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Lincoln commemorated the soldiers killed in the battle in his address. 林肯在演说中表扬阵亡将士。 来自辞典例句
• You'll be commemorated for killing a spy, and be specially discharged. 你们每杀一个间谍将会被记录到特殊档案。 来自电影对白

6 jubilee   

n.周年纪念；欢乐

参考例句：

• They had a big jubilee to celebrate the victory.他们举行盛大的周年纪念活动以祝贺胜利。
• Every Jubilee,to take the opposite case,has served a function.反过来说，历次君主巡幸，都曾起到某种作用。

7 rivalry   

n.竞争，竞赛，对抗

参考例句：

• The quarrel originated in rivalry between the two families.这次争吵是两家不和引起的。
• He had a lot of rivalry with his brothers and sisters.他和兄弟姐妹间经常较劲。

8 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

9 attainment   

n.达到，到达；［常pl.］成就，造诣

参考例句：

• We congratulated her upon her attainment to so great an age.我们祝贺她高寿。
• The attainment of the success is not easy.成功的取得并不容易。

10 integration   

n.一体化，联合，结合

参考例句：

• We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
• This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。

11 oversaw   

v.监督，监视( oversee的过去式 )

参考例句：

• He will go down as the president who oversaw two historic transitions. 他将作为见证了巴西两次历史性转变的总统，安然引退。 来自互联网
• Dixon oversaw the project as creative director of Design Research Studio. 狄克逊监督项目的创意总监设计研究工作室。 来自互联网