經濟學者薩屈思讚揚扶輪在各地對抗貧窮的付出與努力

Economist Jeffrey Sachs praised Rotary's grassroots contributions in the fight against poverty.

丹麥哥本哈根報導— 知名經濟學者傑弗瑞． 薩屈思於6 月14 日以專題講者身份參與2006 年國際扶輪年會， 他於演講中表示扶輪的願景與「聯合國千禧年發展目標」有共同的立足點； 該目標擬訂一個大膽的全球性計劃，要在2015 年前讓世人免於貧窮、疾病、以及飢荒的問題。

Denmark , Copenhagen — There is a common ground between Rotary's vision and the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals, which outline a bold, global plan for a world free of poverty, disease, and hunger by 2015, said the 14 June keynote speaker at the 2006 RI Convention, economist Jeffrey Sachs.

薩屈思說「我們這一代是史上第一個實際上有能力提出在我們的時代中終結赤貧的方案的世代。」。薩屈思除了著有知名的《終結貧窮》（The End of Poverty）一書外，亦是聯合國秘書長安南的特別顧問，以及聯合國「千禧計劃」（UN Millennium Project ）的負責人。

"Our generation is the first in the history of the world that can realistically say that we can lead to the end of extreme poverty on the planet in our time," said Sachs. Besides being the renowned author of The End of Poverty, he is the special advisor to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and head of the UN Millennium Project.

2000 年9 月全世界的領導人們共同通過了8 項「聯合國千禧年發展目標」。薩屈思表示在此一歷史的重要時刻，這8 項目標是唯一通往和平的真實之路。

Eight Millennium Development Goals were adopted by all of the world's leaders in September 2000. Sachs called the goals the only true route to peace on the planet at a pivotal moment in history.

薩屈思表示達成這些目標的最大障礙是全世界有部分領導人的失敗主義， 他們並不了解這些目標和世界和平與安全之間的關係。

The biggest obstacle in accomplishing the goals, he said, is defeatism on the part of world leaders — a group who doesn't understand the connection between the goals and global peace and security.

每天都會拿扶輪的「許多的領導人表示這些計劃連開始都開始不了。」他如是說道。「我不知道和這些人談會有什麼幫助，不過， 和各位談是真正有所助益。你們才是真正的世界領導人。」

"Many of leaders say we can't even get started," he said. "I don't know if speaking to the world's leaders helps, but speaking to you does help. You are truly the world's leaders."

他認為扶輪根除小兒痲痹計劃與該計劃共同之處在於兩者均有擁有遠大的目標。薩屈思說： 「我根除小兒痲痹計劃當做實例，去說服世界領導人、各團體以及企業界， 讓他們相信這些遠大的目標是能夠達成的。」他也讚揚扶輪以社區為基礎建構成的扶輪社網絡， 表示這樣的網絡是在造福全人類的典範模式。

He likened the program's courageous goals to Rotary's ongoing partnership to eradicate polio. "It is your example of action that I use every day to try to convince world leaders, communities, and businesses that we can accomplish these great goals," Sachs said. He praised Rotary's community-based network of Rotary clubs as an admirable model of how to get things done for the good of humanity.

聯合國在非洲10 個國家設置了78 個「千禧村」（Millennium Villages ）當作達成目標的模範。薩屈思呼籲扶輪社與扶輪地區與這些村落進行一些簡單的合作計劃，像是提供蚊帳防範瘧疾的擴散或是成立醫療診所。

Some 78 Millennium Villages in 10 African countries are serving as models for the goals program. He urged Rotary clubs or districts to partner with the villages for straightforward projects, for example, providing inexpensive bed nets to fight malaria or even setting up village clinics.

「扶輪是“實實在在＂的服務提供者， 是真正能走入這些村落的服務者。」薩屈思如是表示。「各位在世界各地拿著小兒痲痹口服疫苗親手滴到孩子們的嘴裡， 展現了你們的領導地位。這樣的模式也是消減極度飢荒、貧窮與疾病的最佳典範。」

"Rotary is the on-the-ground service provider. It's the one that gets into the villages," he said. "Your demonstrated leadership in putting the drops of vaccine into the mouths of children in all parts of the world is the model of service to bring an end to extreme hunger and disease."

薩屈思說「我希望全世界的扶輪社員們都知道， 請相信我。我們需要你。」「感謝你們所做的一切。」

"I want Rotarians all over the world to know, please count on me. We count on you," he said. "Thank you so much for what you do."

薩屈思邀請扶輪社員若有任何問題，或想看任何相關報告，可以電子郵件sachs@columbia.edu 與他本人連絡。

Sachs invited Rotarians to contact him with questions or to get reports.