VOA标准英语2017--美国援助柬埔寨大选

U.S. Aid for Cambodian Elections

The U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, announced this month a new grant to support the work of the National Election Committee, or NEC, to administer Cambodia's 2017 and 2018 elections. The two-year, $1.8 million dollar Cambodia Election Management Project, awarded to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, will help the NEC implement¹ voter education campaigns, strengthen its election dispute resolution processes, and enhance its ability to identify and mitigate² weaknesses in the country's electoral system.

This program follows previous USAID support for the National Election Committee, which included an internal capacity assessment³, training on election administration, and assistance to produce a set of public service announcements about voter registration⁴. The new grant will help ensure the NEC follows through on its commitment to effectively administer elections and advance meaningful electoral reform through the commune elections in 2017 and national elections in 2018.

USAID was founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy and serves as the lead agency of the U.S. Government for foreign assistance. Since 1992, USAID has invested approximately $1 billion dollars towards Cambodia's development. The International Foundation for Electoral Systems supports citizens' rights to participate in free and fair elections. Its independent expertise⁵ strengthens electoral systems and builds local capacity to deliver sustainable solutions. Since 1987, IFES has worked in over 145 countries – from developing democracies, to mature democracies.

“Electoral participation⁶ is the foundation of a healthy democracy,” said U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia William Heidt. “We look forward to working with the National Election Committee, civil society, and political parties to continue to strengthen democracy in Cambodia.”

1 implement   

n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行

参考例句：

• Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
• The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。

2 mitigate   

vt.（使）减轻，（使）缓和

参考例句：

• The government is trying to mitigate the effects of inflation.政府正试图缓和通货膨胀的影响。
• Governments should endeavour to mitigate distress.政府应努力缓解贫困问题。

3 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

4 registration   

n.登记，注册，挂号

参考例句：

• Marriage without registration is not recognized by law.法律不承认未登记的婚姻。
• What's your registration number?你挂的是几号？

5 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。

6 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。