瑟利夫夫人在哈佛大学2011年毕业典礼上的演讲(10)

about the future of Africa’s common economy and democratic prospects.

就算不考虑采掘业的影响，我在非洲各地都看到这块大陆复兴的迹象。我们有了更多的产品，更多的制造业，更多的贸易，更多的合作。诸如”责任心”、”透明性”、”改革”这样的词汇，不再只是外国援助者的专利，各国政府为了重新当选，使用这些词汇判断各种决策。人们在这些问题上，有了越来越多的共识，请允许我对非洲未来的经济和民主抱有巨大的乐观。 I am excited about Africa’s future, and more so about Liberia’s future. In a few months, the Liberian people will have the opportunity to select their political leadership. This means that Liberia will know a second peaceful democratic transition in six years: this in a country that was riven by political rivalries, tribalism, and civil war for two decades. It is,

nonetheless, with cautious optimism that we approach this event and the future. Anxieties remain because we know that as impressive as Liberia’s rebirth has been, our

achievements remain fragile and reversible.

我对非洲的未来激动不已，对利比里亚的未来更是如此。再过几个月，利比里亚人民将进行大选。这将是六年内通过民主选举的第二次政府和平过渡。这个国家曾经被各派势力四分五裂，部落林立，内战持续了20年。我谨慎乐观地估计，我们最终将迎来这个时刻，走向未来。担忧依然存在，因为我们知道虽然利比里亚的新生已经给世人留下深刻印象，但是我们已取得的成果非常脆弱，随时可被逆转。

I have no personal anxieties, however, for in a decades-long career in public service, I have learned many lessons that I can share with you today. In my journey, I have come to value hope and resilience. As an actor in Liberia’s history as it has unfolded over the last 40 years, I have seen these characteristics come full circle. I was there in the early ’70s, a decade after the independence movement had swept across Africa. Back then, the future appeared full of endless possibilities. Then across the continent there was a gradual descent into militarism, sectarian violence, and divisive ethnic politics. But I have been blessed with the opportunity to watch and participate as not only my nation but other

African countries rise out of the ashes of war. With cautious optimism, it is my hope that I will continue to lead Liberia to consolidate and realize the dividends of peace.

不过，我个人并不担忧，我从事政治已经几十年了，有许多经验可以与你们分享。在我的经历中，我很看重始终抱有希望和自我修复能力。作为利比里亚历史中的一个角色，我已经演出40多年了，目睹了令人怀有希望的时刻不断出现。上个世纪70年代早期，我觉得是这样；十年后，独立运动横扫非洲，也是这样。当时，未来看上去有无限的可能性，但是接下来这块大陆就逐渐沦陷了，军国主义、宗教暴力、提倡分裂的种族政治占据了上风。但是，我很幸运能够目睹和亲身参与历史进程，看到我的祖国以及其他非洲国家，从战争的废墟上重新复苏。依然是出于谨慎的乐观主义，我希望接下来还是由我领导利比里亚，巩固和平，取得更多的成绩。

As much as I have lived and experienced, what you graduates will know and do will far exceed it. History, it seems, is speeding up. After graduation, you leave the relative