After the attack; The question on everyone's mind after the terrorist attacks: what should we do next? (for the record).

The effects of the terrorist attacks of September 11 continue to ripple across North America and the world. Even those who have no personal involvement probably know someone who knows someone who has been affected. The brother of our former paperboy was killed in New York City. A good friend lost his job here in Toronto because of his firm's cut-backs as a result of the attack. All of us, even those who fly frequently, have become a little more hesitant about getting on a plane.

And we have been changed in other ways as well. Some long-standing pacifists now urge that the Canadian military be beefed up. Poles indicate Canadians now feel much closer to Americans and are prepared to curtail some of their freedoms in ways inconceivable before these attacks.

To this point (I write at the beginning of October), most of us are grateful for the remarkable restraint exhibited by the United States and for its efforts in putting together a worldwide coalition against terrorists and terrorist organizations. We also appreciate the willingness to make a distinction between terrorists and people of the same nationality or religion and to make efforts to ensure that, in bringing the terrorists to justice, more pain, terror and death will not rain down on defenceless women and children.

Like everyone else following September 11, my e-mail has been loaded with countless comments and suggestions of what should be done and who should do it. Barbara McLean, a deputy clerk of our church, passed on one of the most poignant of these. It comes from the International Women's Tribune Centre (IWCT) in New York City. IWCT began following the International Women's Year Tribune in Mexico City in 1975. It is a communications and technical support service for more than 16,000 women and women's groups in 160 countries. Messages in response to the September 11 attack flooded into its office from women around the world. Listen to a few of them.

"While we once again announce our solidarity and deep sorrow with the people of the United States, we also believe that attacking Afghanistan and killing its most ruined and destitute people will not in any way decrease the grief of the American people." -- Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan 

"Declaring a war against terrorism will not bring peace and security. We need to stop the war against the planet and the people. We need to work for the recovery of democracy and ecological security." -- Vandana Shiva, India

"We have been overwhelmed by the attacks in the U.S.A. Timorese women responded by putting flowers and candles outside the U.S. mission. But the Timorese never called for Jakarta to be bombed when their whole country was destroyed (by Indonesian forces) two years ago." - Janet Hunt, Dili, East Timor 

"We have lived through war. We know what it is like to be attacked, to grieve and to feel anger. We understand that the urge for revenge is strong. And we know that it must not be given in to. We know that a violent response can only bring more violence not justice. Instead, it kills more innocent victims and gives birth to new holy avengers.... Terrorists are not nations. And nations must not act like terrorists." -- Medica Mondiale Kosovo, Women's Center

"So long as poverty and hunger, injustice and exploitation are the experience of many people in many countries, genuine despair will lead to hatred of the superpowers whose policies are seen to contribute to them, and will be used to legitimate terrorism." -- Women in Black, London, England

"Women of Kuwait also condemn the terrorism that we are sure is not related to Islam. However, we do not agree with retaliation where victims always include many women and children. We should all support the fight against terrorism and support the war against terrorists based on justice and fair and wise actions." -- Fatima Al-Abdali, Kuwait

"We firmly believe that it is the role of legal institutions, such as the International Criminal Court, to hold accountable those individuals responsible and bring them to justice. Our hopes lie in working to end injustice and oppression, in building positive cooperative relationships among all people. In short, in creating a global culture of peace." -- Voice of Women for Peace, Canada

"Those responsible must be brought to justice. Ultimately, peace and security cannot come through military power alone, but must be borne of thoughtful, determined diplomacy and negotiation." -- Women's Action for New Directions, U.S.A.

Listening to these voices makes one wish more women were in places of power and decision-making in the world.