The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.
That's what world leaders who are gathering for the start of the World Economic Forum are being told this week.
The charity Oxfam says that by 2015, 50% of the world's wealth will be owned by the richest 1% of the population.
They say urgent action is needed to narrow the gap between the global elite and the other 99%.
Let’s have a look at the vocabulary in this passage.
world leaders
presidents, prime ministers and other important people
charity
an organisation that helps people in need
urgent action
serious steps that need to be taken to solve a problem
( we need bold, urgent action by government to drive down emissions to zero.)
narrow the gap
to bring two things closer together
(We also recognise the importance of helping the lagging regions narrow the gap in growth rates)
global elite
the small group of people with the most power and money around the world
(is it time we challenged the power of the global elite)
This passage is from bbc.co.uk, learning English