Feature

The only way to heal the pain and trauma brought about by the devastating attacks on September 11 is to address the underlying causes and dynamics behind the violence and to embrace its victims--and all victims of violence--with deep empathy and compassion, while seeking solutions and approaches which take us beyond the logic of war and destruction.

Peace, and the principles of freedom, basic needs, democracy, human rights and justice which are associated with it, can only be built by peaceful means. Violence, and the perpetuation of violence, is the antithesis of these values and will end up producing more of what it seeks to eradicate. What is needed is the building of a positive, constructive program uniting people working together to actively create the security, well-being and freedom we seek. The alternative is to take part ourselves in the destruction of all we hold dear, bringing to others the very pain and devastation we seek to avoid.

What is needed, therefore, is action. For people in every community in the world to unite together, to reach out and to work actively for the building of peace by peaceful means and for the transforming of all forms of direct, structural and cultural violence. Those who are appalled by the pain, the devastation and the destruction which violence and war create must have the courage to stand up and take the path of principled nonviolence and peace. 

The following are suggestions as to what can be done:

Express your deep sympathy and remorse for the victims of the September 11 attacks, their families and all those killed in acts of violence and war worldwide. Write to your head of state, government representatives, city council and local representatives, stating your opposition to the use of violence and war. Send copies of these letters to local and national media. Write letters to your media asking for more balanced reporting and for including focus on alternative, nonviolent proposals and suggestions as to what can be done. Submit articles/comments yourself, and try to offer alternatives to dominant practices of war journalism. Do not just turn away or denounce those who support violence. Listen to them, respect them, then try to show other ways of reaching their goals nonviolently, as well as the self-destructive nature of violence. Don't just analyze. Try to come up with ideas of what can be done. Dialogue is vital, and for dialogue to occur it must be based upon mutual respect and listening. Do this in your classes, your offices, in community or town meetings, with your political and elected leaders, coworkers and people you meet on the street. Focus also on creative and constructive proposals as to how we can work to promote peace and to oppose violence in all its forms. Organize discussion and action groups within your school, your community, over the Internet. Reach out to/contact local peace organizations and other similar groups and organizations, encouraging them to work actively for peaceful solutions to the current conflict and the conflicts which gave rise to it. Ask how you can be involved. Organize and act to have your village, town, city declared a village, town or city for peace. Then reach out to villages, towns and cities in other parts of the world, forming twin cities for peace, promoting exchanges, dialogue and mutual learning across borders and cultures. Organize lectures, seminars, educational events, celebrations and activities for peace and for teaching/learning and sharing skills in peace-building, conflict transformation and dialogue. Promote/organize dialogues, bringing together people of different backgrounds and beliefs. Focus on those elements of your belief/value systems which emphasize and promote peace, nonviolence, respect, understanding, dialogue, unity of life and the celebration of diversity. Call for the introduction of peace education at all levels of the school curriculum. Oppose all forms of direct, structural and cultural violence and their propagation in the media. Prepare a petition/statement opposing the use of violence and calling upon political, economic, social, religious, cultural and military leaders and your fellow citizens to act responsibly, oppose and refuse to take part in violence, and work for peace. Transcend violence! Promote direct democracy and action for peace! Come up with and encourage more solutions/proposals/ideas. Act upon them! And have the courage to work and live for peace!

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