Global Community Engagement Day is on January 28 every year, and we’re getting ready to celebrate humanity’s greatest efforts to make this world a better place! Community engagement is the process of engaging with community groups to address and solve issues that impact the well-being of the community. Together we can do so much, which is why community engagement is so important. Did you know that this special day is one of the latest, officially recognized global events? The first celebration was on January 28, 2018! Let’s learn more about what community engagement really is and what this day is all about.
History of Global Community Engagement Day
Global Community Engagement Day aims to create awareness of individuals working collaboratively to address ideas and issues within the community, making this world a much better place for everyone! The story behind the inception and birth of Global Community Engagement Day is an interesting one. The Global Community Engagement Day was started by the organization Engage 2 Act. It is one of the fastest-growing networks of community engagement practitioners from Australia and across the world. According to their LinkedIn page, “Engage 2 Act is a collective of individuals committed to progressing high-quality community engagement practice.”
It started as a small group in Southern Australia. A former board member of the organization, Andrew Coulson, thought that if other silly things like doughnuts and socks have their special commemoration dates, community engagement deserved a special day. So, he made the whole team hop on to this idea. In December 2017, the Engage 2 Act team members used their social media to start a poll. They asked their social media followers who the most inspiring community engagement leader was they had met in their lives. Wendy Sarkissian was the top voted person in that poll, and they made her birthdate, January 28, Global Community Engagement Day.
Today, let’s thank all the awesome community groups, volunteers, and patrons that we’ve come across over the years that make our community a great place to be. Cheers to all who work so hard to keep our communities healthy and happy through engagement.
Global Community Engagement Day timeline
Andrew Coulson, together with other like-minded people, starts an organization called Engage 2 Act.
The Engage 2 Act team posts a poll on social media to find out who their followers think the most inspiring community engagement leader is.
The first Global Community Engagement Day is celebrated on the birthday of Wendy Sarkissian.
The Global Community Engagement Day theme is ‘Engaging children for their future.’
Global Community Engagement Day FAQs
Is there a theme for Global Community Engagement Day?
Yes, each year has a different theme for celebrating this day. In 2021, the theme was ‘Engaging children for their future.’
Is Global Community Engagement Day celebrated across the world?
Yes, Global Community Engagement Day is celebrated worldwide and fosters community engagement to make this world a better place to live.
Do I need any special skills for community engagement?
You don’t need any special skills for helping the community, but a little bit of listening, analyzing, empathy, and member support skills go a long way.
How to Observe Global Community Engagement Day
Organize events within your community
Let's all celebrate the day with our community. Organize casual meetings, brunch, or a game event.
Share on social media
Some of your co-workers and friends may not know about this day. Try to get the word out on social media and post about its importance.
Donate
Come up with a list of things that will better your community. Then, contribute to that cause.
5 Awesome Facts About Community Engagement
It will gain your trust
Community engagement gains your trust, which is especially important if you’re planning something good for its future.
Steer the results in the right direction
Regular community engagement helps you get better results.
Your community will get better
Engaging with your community makes them more satisfied with the performance of organizations, businesses, and individuals.
Accepting recommendations
Communities are more likely to accept views and recommendations if they’re engaged with regularly.
It empowers people from various backgrounds
Community engagement is the ultimate bridge to connect to the groups that feel ignored.
Why Global Community Engagement Day is Important
It creates a great community
Creating a local network of community members and engaging with them regularly makes them more willing to work toward a goal and more likely to succeed.
It makes us better
The community members will work towards addressing or solving an issue. During this process, they improve their knowledge and problem-solving skills.
It sheds light on pressing concerns
Community engagement creates several opportunities for discussing concerns that might go unnoticed on normal occasions.
Global Community Engagement Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 28 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | January 28 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | January 28 | Thursday |
| 2028 | January 28 | Friday |
| 2029 | January 28 | Sunday |
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