International Civility Awareness Month

Categories:: Relationship
Tags:: Awareness Educational Lifestyle
Where:: International
Date change rule:: Every May
Holiday emoji:: 🤝

International Civility Awareness Month takes place every May, aiming to highlight the global decline in civility and its impact on daily life. This observance underscores how respectful interactions are crucial for personal and professional well-being. Throughout the month, commit to practicing civility, advocating for kindness, and fostering a culture of mutual respect.

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Expected International Civility Awareness Month Deals

As a Cause holiday, International Civility Awareness Month focuses on promoting positive social interactions rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the Institute for Civility in Government and the National Institute for Civil Discourse encourage participation through educational resources, workshops, and community dialogues. Businesses might partner with non-profits to host civility training, sponsor public service announcements, or launch internal campaigns promoting respectful workplace behavior. Look for educational institutions and local community centers to offer free seminars on communication skills and conflict resolution. We will update this page with confirmed live initiatives as May approaches.

Platform Guide for International Civility Awareness Month

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #CivilityMonth. Share professional development tips and foster respectful discussions.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #InternationalCivilityMonth. Organize community discussions or share personal stories of positive interactions.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #CivilityAwareness. Share articles on respectful communication and engage in thoughtful dialogue.

International Civility Awareness Month Hero

P.M. Forni

P.M. Forni (1940–2014) was an Italian-born professor at Johns Hopkins University and the founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project. He became a leading voice on the importance of civility in modern society, authoring influential books like 'Choosing Civility: The Twenty-five Rules of Considerate Conduct.' His work emphasized that civility is not merely about manners, but about a fundamental respect for others and the principles that allow society to function harmoniously. Forni's teachings continue to inspire efforts to restore and maintain polite and respectful interactions.

History of International Civility Awareness Month

International Civility Awareness Month is only a little older than a decade, being established in 2010 by the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI). It was inspired by Dr. P.M. Forni, a professor specializing in civility at Johns Hopkins University and author of “Choosing Civility: The 25 Rules of Considerate Conduct.” The idea of raising awareness for civility was put forward in 2008 by AICI’s Yasmin Anderson-Smith, Carole Ann Lyons, and Katherine Wurzburg, along with the marketing committee of AICI.

Civility has one golden rule, which is to treat others how you would like them to treat you. All individuals should remember this and practice it in their personal and professional behavior towards others. Civility is important if we want harmony, grace, kindness, and dignity at our homes and offices. Civility impacts our image, enhances our communication, paves the way for leadership, and impacts external perception and our relationships with others.

The project was officially kicked off at the annual conference of AICI in 2009. Dr. Forni, the inspiration behind the project, was presented with the industry’s highest honor, AICI’s IMMIE Bravo Award. Additionally, the first Civility Proclamation was unveiled, which declared May 13 as Los Angeles Civility Awareness Day. Additionally, the proclamation program, started by Carole Ann Lyons and Katherine Wurzburg, was expanded globally and organized by Deborah King.

The project, which was initiated in 2009, has been secured as an ongoing global activity and, since then, several businesses, communities, and organizations across the world celebrate May as Civility Awareness Month.

International Civility Awareness Month timeline

2008

Civility as an Idea

Yasmin Anderson-Smith, Carole Ann Lyons, and Katherine Wurzburg, along with the AICI marketing committee start the idea to raise awareness for civility.

2009

AICI Annual Conference

The Civility Project officially kicks off at the AICI annual conference.

2010

Inauguration

The AICI’s annual conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, celebrates the inaugural International Civility Awareness Month.

2012

Founding Members Awarded

AICI awards certificates to the founding members of the Civility Counts Project and extends their gratitude for the civility initiative at the international conference in Hawaii.

How Businesses Can Celebrate International Civility Awareness Month

Local businesses can champion International Civility Awareness Month by fostering a culture of respect among employees and customers. Implement a ‘Civility Pledge’ for staff, offering training on respectful communication and conflict resolution. Retailers can create displays highlighting books or products that promote empathy and understanding. Restaurants might encourage ‘device-free’ tables to promote face-to-face interaction. Consider sponsoring local workshops on civil discourse or partnering with community organizations to host events that encourage respectful dialogue. Emphasize that a civil environment benefits both employee morale and customer loyalty.

International Civility Awareness Month FAQs

When is International Civility Awareness Month?

In 2027, International Civility Awareness Month will again be observed throughout May, from Saturday, May 1, to Monday, May 31. This annual observance is a call to action for respectful conduct.

How does incivility impact the workplace?

The impact of incivility extends beyond individual discomfort, affecting team cohesion and organizational culture. Research indicates that employees subjected to incivility are more likely to disengage, leading to a measurable decline in overall performance and innovation.

How many people are affected by a lack of civility?

Estimates vary, but nearly all adults encounter incivility in some form, whether in public, online, or at work. The cumulative effect of these daily slights contributes to societal tension and reduced trust across communities.

What is the difference between civility and politeness?

Politeness is about following social conventions, but civility is a more profound concept that involves acknowledging the dignity of others and engaging constructively, especially when opinions diverge. It’s about respect for the process of interaction itself.

How to Observe International Civility Awareness Month

Take up the 31-Day Civility Challenge
You don’t have to go out on a limb to celebrate civility. Take up the 31-Day Civility Challenge, which includes small tasks to do daily like saying hello to five people, being polite on your transit, smiling at others, avoiding profanity, to name a few. These small actions can go a long way in strengthening your overall development and building your image.
Start an online gratitude journal
One of the key factors of civility is being grateful towards others and the things we have. It can be a meditative and fun task to document a few things you’re grateful for every day and share them with your friends and family on your social media. This could inspire others to be grateful for the things in their lives and lead to civility awareness. You can use the hashtags #CivilityBeginsWithMe or #InspireCivility to amplify your efforts and make it into a movement.
Sign up for a civility training class
Don’t know how to bring about a change in your life? Now’s a good time to sign up for a civility training class where you can learn the importance of civility and how to incorporate it into your life. What’s even better is that you won’t be alone in the class and you will have company on this journey.

5 Important Facts About Civility That You Should Know

It fosters empathy
Practicing civility can actually help you become a more empathic person.
It helps to dissociate from negative emotions
When you become more civil, you are able to view situations more objectively, which can help you seperate yourself from negative emotions.
It makes you logical and fair
Being civil can help you debate and reason with logic and fairness and prevent you from lashing out.
It makes you a kinder person
Imbibing civility in your daily life will make you a kinder person towards others.
It makes you optimistic
Being civil towards others will eventually instill optimism within you and make you feel much better about external situations.

Why International Civility Awareness Month is Important

Civility fosters respect
International Civility Awareness Month is important to make people aware that civility costs nothing and buys everything. Each person wants to be treated fairly and with mutual respect. Civility is a small step that can go a long way in fostering and nurturing a respectful environment and relationships.
Civility enhances one's professional image
Civility is a vital aspect that impacts one’s professional image. It also reflects an organization's overall brand reputation and goodwill. International Civility Awareness Month reminds people that civility is an important factor to think about when analyzing how others perceive your brand or company.
Civility influences success
Civility and success go hand-in-hand. This success could be in your work, home, or social setup. Being civil inevitably leads to a more successful and content life. International Civil Awareness Month is a good time to remind ourselves about this humble virtue that we all can imbibe in our lives.