Progress report for
World Civility Index – Improve Youth’s Soft Skills, with Standardized Credentialing as Proof
Achievement at a glance
The software part of the IITTI Reading Program has been fully built and tested in Canada as of this writing. We are using the latest in web technology of PWA (Progressive Web Application) where the same code can be used for all desktops and mobile devices including Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS.\r\n\r\nIn terms of reading materials, we have identified and approved five (5) soft skills articles in the area of business etiquette, intercultural/history awareness, and emotional intelligence.\r\n\r\nAll articles have to go through a vetting process. We are happy to report that Ms. Riet de Vlieger of the Netherlands, co-founder of IITTI, and immediate past president of AICI (Association of Image Consultants International) has agreed to be a part of the vetting committee. (AICI is the world's largest professional image consultant body with over 1,000 members in over 40 countries.)\r\n\r\nThe vetting process is as follow: Each submitted article will go through at least two vetting members. The rating goes from 1 (worst) to 5 (excellent) based on a set of evaluation rubrics. If the two vetting members differ by 2 points, a third vetting member is pull in and the average of the three members are taken as the result.\r\n\r\nAs IITTI has established a worldwide network of soft skills trainers who have been subscribing to the IITTI Standard, we received many messages about anticipating the launch of the Reading Program (in mid-August) where they will be acting as promoters.\r\n\r\nAnother achievement is the linking of our IITTI international website (www.IITTI.org) with our China website (www.IITTI.cn) where both can access the same database. That is, a user can log in to either sites with the same user ID and password. All the user's records and scores are accessible both outside and inside of China.Challenges faced in implementation
Although the IITTI Reading Program is 100% online, COVID-19 has caused delays and inconvenience in both the development and marketing. Some of our partners have been unresponsive or, worst, gone out of business.Beneficiaries
A standard such as IITTI measuring soft skills has many beneficiaries.\r\n\r\nReaders:\r\n\r\nAll readers will be able to read all articles free-of-charge (unless they want to earn World Civility Index points, then they have to pay). There are general topics on empathy, resilience, emotional intelligence.\r\n\r\nThere is a section specifically for youth (elementary and high school students) where topics will be about setting priority, time management, social etiquette for youth.\r\n\r\nA particularly never-done-before youth topic is "STEM management" (technology management) which goes beyond environment protection but a general survey of how technology impact culture and civilization. It is our belief that, in order for communities to be able to push for difficult decisions such as replacing plastic bags with more-expensive biodegradable bags, it takes more than just a small group of engineers, scientists and policy makers. Without the general population understand, appreciate and support what needs to be done, no amount of fancy ads or promotions will sway votes. But with a long-term informal education such as this Reading Program, mindsets can be improved.\r\n\r\nAnother never-done-before topic is the 'intercultural-history awareness' where it is felt that in order for people to truly understand someone from another culture, a working knowledge of the other person's background would allow better understanding.\r\n\r\n\r\nEmployers:\r\n\r\nEmployers can base part of their hiring decisions on a job-applicant's World Civility Index. Think of it as "getting something for nothing"; that is, companies don't need any expenses in training, but yet get new employees with better soft skills! Free!