Pre-reading. Task 1.Look up the pronunciation of the following words in the dictionary:

Task 1. Look up the pronunciation of the following words in the dictionary:

environment, tackle, interconnectedness, threat, scrutiny, transparency, compliance.

Task 2. Translate the following words:

English Russian

challenge …

… тенденция

environment …

scrutiny …

… поток (грузов)

… сотрудничество

integrity …

Task 3. Form new parts of speech with the help of the suffixes and the prefixes given. Mind the spelling. Consult a dictionary.

different (ly)

accept (able)

cooperate (tion)

(inter) connectedness

(inter) national

technology (ical)

comply (ance)

frequent (ly)

Task 4. Read the sentence and say what part of speech the italicized word is: noun or verb.

Key to much of this is the need to take maximum advantage of technological progress and increase the professionalism of staff.

Task 5. Which words constitute the word family including the word “ connectedness ”?

Meeting the challenges of the 21^st century

What are the main trends? Has the role of Customs changed, merely expanded, or are we just doing things differently? Should we be considering a new operating model? What will our environment look like?

These questions and more are being asked by Customs as it sets itself on track to tackle the challenges of the 21^st century environment.

Clearly, to meet the demands that will be faced in the coming years and to ensure acceptable levels of effectiveness and efficiency, Customs will have to adapt, improve cooperation, and increase its interconnectedness if it is to cope with the pace of change and manage the opportunities and threats that lay ahead. Interconnectedness among Customs and its partners is vital. Understanding the global risk landscape is imperative, as Customs is at the frontier of globalization whilst operating under increasingly broad public scrutiny.

According to recent research, Customs in the 21^st century will be characterized by a number of key activities, working methods and concepts. These will include: managing international supply chains; controlling increased flows of people and goods; applying knowledge and risk management; advance processing of information; using a “single window” system; unified border management; greater flexibility; a high degree of automation and transparency; and a high level of integrity.

Key to much of this is the need to take maximum advantage of technological progress and increase the professionalism of staff.

Technology can help in reducing time spent on compliance activities so that Customs professionals set more possibilities to focus on providing more consulting services.

The change in communication technology will require a new type of Customs professional. Because this professional will be communicating more frequently and in a different manner than he does today, a greater emphasis will be placed on interpersonal skills, although technical competence will continue to be essential.

This substantial change will only happen if Customs organizations develop further the shift from a command-and-control style to the one that release the talents of Customs personnel. This means changing behaviors and attitudes and encouraging creativity and innovation.

Notes: The prefix “ inter ” means between or involving two or more different things, places, or people.

If two ideas, events, systems etc. are interconnected, it means that they are related and one is affected by the other.