2007年VOA标准英语-Davos Economic Forum Opens

By Lisa Bryant
Paris
24 January 2007

The World Economic Forum¹ has begun in Davos, Switzerland, gathering² more than 2,400 politicians and business leaders to talk about the international economy and problems like climate change, poverty and the Middle East conflict. From Paris, Lisa Bryant has more for VOA on the four-day meeting.

 
Klaus Schwab, Founder³ and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, welcomes the participants at the Annual Meeting 2007 of the World Economic Forum
This year's meeting at the Swiss resort of Davos is titled "The Shifting Power Equation."  The theme aims to look not only at emerging economic shifts, such as new world heavyweights India and China, but also other changes and concerns: instability in the Middle East, for example, or the consequences of global warming.

Klaus Schwab, the head of the World Economic Forum that hosts these annual meetings, noted⁴ in his opening address that some, but certainly not all, of these changes are positive.

"The economy is booming globally and the signs for this year continue to be promising," he said.  "But underneath⁵ geopolitical, geo-economic and societal developments are many question marks, many risks, many imbalances, many inconsistencies."

The main sessions and many smaller meetings during the next few days will focus on a number of issues: climate change, financial security, aid to Africa, and reviving stalled global trade talks.  Trade ministers are due to meet on the sidelines of the Davos forum on Saturday.

 
Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor⁶ of Germany, speaks during the opening address at the Annual Meeting 2007 of the World Economic Forum
In Davos, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, whose country heads the G-8 summit this year and is the revolving⁷ European Union president, appealed for more economic liberalization and fairer rules of trade.  All countries will benefit from both changes, she said, including African ones.

"Beyond the headlines of the media, we can say for Africa that more growth, more sensible economic policies means less internal strife⁸, means less armed conflict," she said.  "But there is still enormous risks to be shouldered.  And what we can do is help them stand on their own feet, to help them in their own capacity, for solving conflicts peacefully."

The Davos meetings end Sunday.  They include representatives from at least 50 countries, along with heads of state like Merkel and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

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 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

3 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 underneath   

adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面

参考例句：

• Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
• She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。

6 chancellor   

n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长

参考例句：

• They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday.他们昨天向财政大臣递交了报告。
• He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times.他被认为是现代最成功的财政大臣。

7 revolving   

adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想

参考例句：

• The theatre has a revolving stage. 剧院有一个旋转舞台。
• The company became a revolving-door workplace. 这家公司成了工作的中转站。

8 strife   

n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争

参考例句：

• We do not intend to be drawn into the internal strife.我们不想卷入内乱之中。
• Money is a major cause of strife in many marriages.金钱是造成很多婚姻不和的一个主要原因。