The latest developments in what seems to be  a campaign to promote political openness on the part of the ruling Revolutionary Democrats took place last Sunday, September 23, 2007, with a second round of youth forums. Consultations with any facet of society is a welcome development from a party that has not enjoyed the best reputation for including society at large in its decision making processes over its 16-year plus rule.

Meeting with youth is particularly healthy in a country with a burgeoning young population that will eventually take the reigns of power. Some 6,000 Ethiopians in their formative years had an all expenses paid journey and stay in the capital as well as direct communication with the man at the helm of the 80 million people composing the diverse country. Representing all of the regions, the diversity of challenges facing the group united by age shows the range of demands placed on rulers of one of the poorest nations found anywhere on the planet.

Cool and composed, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi fielded an array of questions and concerns and threw the ball back into the court of the audience prompting them to contribute to the changing political, economic and social landscape. Hopefully the rhetoric on both sides will be channelled to action and follow through on the lofty principles.

The recent consultations were the second in two weeks with youth after communities outside the capital desired to remake a more inclusive event following the Addis Abeba exclusive meeting the prior week. Moreover, the change of face is part of what seems to a wider shift on the part of the EPRDF and the Prime Minister specifically.

Public appearances during the New Year's celebrations at the very same Millennium Concert Hall where Meles was seen in a jovial mood as well as a surprise visit to a Diaspora press conference two weeks ago are signs of more connection with the public that have been kept at a distance in the past. Engagement can only be viewed positively, though it alone is by no means sufficient to heal wounds left open since the post May 2005 elections events.

The rhetoric is in place calling for more participation though no bold moves to contest the authority of the ruling party or extreme examples of free speech to test the bounds of the vague red line claimed to be in place to contain acceptable behaviour have appeared lately to gauge how far the speeches match a changing reality.

Public appearances and increasing numbers of press conferences are enlightening the public to the political networks in place but are only small steps on the way to consider the government transparent, that key catch phrase that democracies must strive for such that citizens may evaluate their leaders. Changing tones as well during these appearances are small clues to a maturity slowly creeping into the ruling party; this is to be encouraged to continue.

These moves come at a crossroads both in terms of the calendar as well as when considering the volatile Horn of Africa region Ethiopia must be a leader in and in which circumstances often quickly change. It is also a time to transform some of the positive sentiments about the impressive economic growth into tools to repair aspects of the party's reputation that have remained in tatters. Proactively catering to the moods of the Diaspora perceived to have deep pockets and more engaged in domestic affairs at this time is savvy and benefits the country; it will be an uphill battle to meet some of the hard to reach standards put forth after tasting the atmosphere of Western democracies.

Encouraging the youth and other groups to participate is a needed attitude; the question lies in how far the government is willing to extend its good will. The burden of action, especially in the commencing steps, falls on the shoulders of those in power who have the tools to create a conducive environment for involvement.

The stuttering emanating from the mouths of some of the youth clutching the microphone last Sunday is testament to both the surprise and excitement that many of the participants felt. Addressing the most powerful man in the country with problems that exist potentially from deficiencies under his regime is the type of exercise that builds character and credibility between the delicate relationships.

The political savvy response in sharing the yoke to progress by posing the challenge back to the young people to be more active and form forward looking and efficiently organised associations is promising as it shows an embracement of groups who may put policy pressure on the government. It remains to be seen if this offer will be followed up on and if the powers that be do in fact welcome participation.

The demands from a growing youth population are diverse and far reaching in a country with huge discrepancies between urban and rural constituencies. This is in fact part of the challenge for the current administration as balancing some of massive investments accruing to the urban centres with countryside development will help in alleviating the problems associated with urban migration. The strains on public services as well as unemployment and homelessness are visible symptoms of this phenomenon. The pull factors into the city are positive in some aspects as they do show promises of a better life but in practice create many dilemmas.

The push factors represented an equal share of the participants' time last Sunday as the diminishing land allotments in rural areas amidst growing populations are putting strain on the natural resources of the country. The associated environmental degradation in the form of deforestation as well as degraded soil fertility and erosion are pressing problems that diminish the livelihoods of the rural majority in the country. These factors only exacerbate problems in a country where crucial inputs of water vary drastically across space and time with volatile and unpredictable rainfall.

The clarity amidst the diversity shown in attitudes, quandaries, as well as simple appearances in the recent forum, show the material challenges for the current administration as well as those to come. But more so than tangible issues, it is the philosophical and attitudinal metamorphoses that will pave the way forward.

Dispersed calls for forms of reconciliation heard in the past couple of emotional weeks show the deep seated desire from many sides to change the apathetic political outlook plaguing the nation. These youth as well as others need to feel that their input is worthwhile and appreciated - even if it does not conform to the ideas of the establishment. This will take time.

In the immediate, what the youth most need is a place in the future of Ethiopia where their efforts show concrete change as they see fit. Improving the educational system - not only quantitatively as the current trend seems to be - in a qualitative manner will give the leaders of tomorrow the tools to implement their valued ideas in a pragmatic way. Moreover, enhancing the professional sectors through incentive packages and reforms will grant the educated youth positions to contribute their talents. It is also the way to alleviate the massive brain drain in numbers as well as negative attitudes propelling promising young people to leave.

While last week's conference represents a positive step in the right direction, concrete action must follow. Entertaining the participants afterwards with some of the current musical sensations in a Hall that needs to be used as much as possible to justify its over 10 million dollar price tag makes for good sentiments. The glitz and glamour should not distract either side to the huge task ahead to translate the words into much needed changes.