Armed Conflict nor the Optional Protocol to the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. In view of constitutional and policy commitments already made by the Ethiopian Government to protect and promote the rights of children, the CRM recommends that the Ethiopian Government ratify these optional protocols. 240 The CRM did not have much of an opportunity to discuss with youth and review developments associated with the formation of the youth package. What little information the CRM did gather came from youth sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Youth or the equivalent regional state agency. Nevertheless, current initiatives for improved youth well-being, as reported by CSAR and heard from youth leaders, are impressive. There seems to be a serious commitment from the Prime Minister’s office to promote youth advancement. Young people also seem to be participating vigorously and in great numbers in these initiatives. The organisation of youth from kebele to federal levels and periodic youth fora at all levels are very impressive. The CRM, however, cautions that efforts be made to ensure that these fora do not simply become talking shops or perfunctory exercises of very little value. Concrete targets for deliverables need to be set and performance monitored. 241 The CRM noted and commends policy measures and programmes put in place by the Ethiopian government to address the plight of children. Enormous strides have been made in education, health care delivery, and other social services. Laudable as these measures are, they do not yet match the magnitude of the challenge. The rise in the numbers of child beggars and the expansion of this practice to child-carrying mothers is disturbing; so also is the rise of child prostitution and the persistence of FGM and other harmful practices. The CRM is mindful that the feudal order was most unkind to children and that significant progress has been made by the federal democratic order to protect children. However, in view of the enormity of the challenge, the CRM urges federal and regional state governments to do more. 242 Finally, the CRM noted the absence of a national youth service programme, despite the fact that youth organisation is given full prominence in national development. Experience elsewhere has shown that a national youth service can be a powerful tool for youth development and national integration. The CRM urges the Ethiopian Government to consider the establishment of such a service. III. Recommendations 243 The APR Panel recommends that Ethiopia should undertake the following: • Ratify forthwith and domesticate the Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict and the Optional - 113 -