Reclaiming civility.
Since 1997, the Institute for Civility has been working to promote civility—in government, workplaces, schools, and anywhere people gather to live, learn, work, and play.
In 2023, we updated our name from the Institute for Civility in Government to better reflect the broad scope of our reach.
About us
Our goal is a more civil society.
The Institute for Civility is dedicated to reducing polarization by facilitating dialogue, teaching respect, and building civility in both the public and private spheres.
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Here’s the latest.
Civility Is Not Agreement—It’s Respect: Founders Featured on SideBar Podcast
What does civility mean in a world of noise, division, and outrage? For Institute for Civility co-founders Cassandra Dahnke and Tomas Spath, civility is more than just manners—it’s the foundation for meaningful change. In their recent feature on the SideBar podcast, they reflect on their 30-year journey advocating for civility in schools, workplaces, and government….
Building Bridges: How Civility Training is Transforming Workplaces and Communities
In today’s polarized climate, civility training is becoming increasingly crucial for fostering respectful and effective communication in diverse settings. The Institute for Civility is seeing a surge in requests for our programs as political, racial, gender, religious, and generational differences continue to spill over into the workplace. Organizations across various sectors—businesses, educational institutions, government bodies, and more—are seeking…
Inspiring the Next Generation: Our Student Legislative Seminar
From June 1-6, the Institute for Civility proudly led its second Student Legislative Seminar of 2024, featuring enthusiastic students from Palacios and Wharton, TX high schools. Both schools have been valued participants in our program for many years, and this session was no exception in terms of impact and engagement. Despite the summer heat and…
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