Geneva, Switzerland. WHO is taking the third Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge virtual this year. In light of COVID-19, Walk the Talk will offer an even more global platform to promote health and well-being for people all over the world.
The Virtual Walk the Talk will be held over 16-17 May 2020, with people invited to join in from their homes wherever they are located in the world.
The Virtual Walk the Talk will support ongoing efforts to promote ways for people to be #HealthyAtHome, encouraging all of us to engage in activities that promote good physical and mental health, including healthy diets, hand washing, mental health awareness, and more.
WHO and its partners, through a range of online platforms, will host exercise moments, information sessions, and live chats with health experts on topics ranging from physical and mental health to nutrition and healthy ageing.
After attracting thousands of participants in Geneva during the first two editions, WHO hopes to reach even more people during the virtual edition.
We look forward to working with the many partners who have supported the first two editions, including governments, civil society organizations, philanthropies and scientific and academic bodies.
The event will also celebrate health and be a platform to promote the need for all people to have access to health services and for health champions to demonstrate how they are striving to promote and protect the health of people in their own way.
2020 has been designated as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, and we are seeing the global importance of health workers in the current response to COVID-19. During the Virtual Walk the Talk, special recognition will be given to the role of health workers.
What is on offer?
The event will run like an online virtual global relay, connecting WHO Regional and Country offices around the world on 16 May before returning to Geneva 24 hours later on 17 May, the opening day of the 73rd World Health Assembly. Our events kick-off in WHO's Regional Office in the Western Pacific at 9:00 am local time in Manila and will feature activities from each of our offices in Delhi, Cairo, Brazzaville, Copenhagen, and Washington DC. Then, on Sunday, 17 May, Walk the Talk will arrive in Geneva at WHO Headquarters starting at 11:00 am.
The event will offer opportunities for people to participate in a variety of virtual, timed events – yoga, exercise classes for all ages and abilities, meditation, walking in place (or in locations within the guidelines of your national authorities). The aim is to get people moving for their own health and that of others. There will also be music, information and interactive sessions, and more.
The PAHO segment
Aim of the event
- To raise awareness and profile the work and goals of WHO and other global health agencies based in Geneva and around the world, highlighting the role of Geneva as a global health capital in improving global health.
- To encourage healthy lifestyles and behaviors, not only in the context of COVID-19, but as a long-term strategy for good physical and mental health.
- To recognize the expertise and sacrifices of health workers, who care for us throughout our life’s course.
- To promote the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO, powered by the United Nations Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation https://covid19responsefund.org/.
Register to receive information
To receive information about the virtual event, complete the form here. If you have questions, please contact walkthetalk@who.int
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