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WOMEN'S PEACE CONGRESS

The events of September 11, 2001 and the U.S. response in the ensuing weeks
galvanized 250 women from around New England to assemble in Northampton,
Massachusetts on November 10, 2001 for a Women¹s Congress for Peace. On that
day, we listened to each other, sharing our knowledge, ideas, and feelings
about our country and its place in the world. Our common vision is reflected
in the following declaration.

THE WOMEN¹S CONGRESS FOR PEACE DECLARATION

The violence that we see in the world concerns us deeply: violence within
families,  violence within our country, violence between nations, violence
between the peoples of the world, and violence to the earth and its living
systems.

As women, we hold another vision. Our vision calls for a profound shift in
our national priorities and a change in the relationship between the United
States and the rest of the world.

Peace This is the time to build a culture of peace. The skills of dialogue
and compassionate listening and the ways of nonviolence must become the
universal peace-building tools of human interaction. We will no longer be
silent in the face of our country¹s prevailing mind-set of violence and our
government¹s escalating expenditures for war and weapons and sale of arms
worldwide. We decry using violence to respond to violence, terror to respond
to terror. Such responses increase fear and hate, rather than build peace
and security.

Justice   This is the time for justice and the rule of law to replace the
rule of force as the means of ensuring peace and security in our world. We
support the formation of a justice-enforcing International Criminal Court,
representing all nations of the world, to try accused perpetrators of crimes
against humanity and other international violations. It is time for the
United States to support and strengthen the United Nations and no longer use
our power to thwart and manipulate its mission.

Democracy   This is the time for our nation to become a true democracy where
all voices are heard and inequalities of power are addressed. No longer can
we allow our government and the media to be controlled and corrupted by
special interest groups and corporations. We demand full protection for each
individual¹s right to free speech, including the right to dissent.

Economy  This is the time to create a just and sustainable economy. Our
present system, which perpetuates gross economic imbalances, has created a
world that is inherently unjust and unsafe. No longer will we accept or
support an economy driven by extreme materialism and consumerism. We call
for a world where water, food, shelter, health care, and education are
accessible to all people. Our economic system must be responsive to the
needs and limits of the earth, upon which our very existence depends.

Earth   This is the time to rededicate ourselves to the care of the earth
and its living systems. It is crucial that we develop sustainable ways of
living, minimize pollution, and increase our use of renewable resources. We
in the United States must curtail our excessive and injurious use of the
earth¹s resources or risk disastrous consequences for the planet and all its
inhabitants.

Diversity   This is the time to embrace human diversity, recognizing that
our differences create strength and generate growth. Out of our respect for
these differences will emerge the foundation of a more creative and just
society. We call for constant efforts to eliminate discrimination based on
race, class, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, and physical and
mental disabilities, both in our country and in our international policies.
It is only in addressing discrimination and in celebrating our diversity
that we will achieve a true world community.

We, the women of the Women¹s Congress for Peace, call on women and men
everywhere to join together to work for this new vision. This time of crisis
in our nation and the world holds an unprecedented opportunity.
Let us build a nurturing, safe, and compassionate world for our children and
the generations to come. Let us commit to the well-being of all people and
the continuity of life on earth. Together, let us speak and act boldly.
                                      Now is the time.

Information: American Friends Service Committee, 140 Pine Street, Florence,
MA 01062  (413) 584-8975 / afsc@crocker.com