As part of celebrations of the World Health Organization’s 70th anniversary in 2018, WHO staged a major health promotion event in Geneva, Switzerland, on 20 May 2018, on the eve of the 71st World Health Assembly.
More than 4000 people participated in the free walk/run event, titled Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge. The event was open to people of all ages and abilities and be held over three distances (short 3 kilometres, medium 5 kilometres and long 8 kilometres). These connected routes helped build a bridge between “international” and “local” Geneva and Lac Leman by linking key health, international and touristic landmarks found in the city.
Other activities and interactive events were located along the routes.
Aims of the event
- To raise awareness and profile of the work and goals of WHO and other global health agencies based in Geneva, highlighting the city’s role as a global health capital in improving global health.
- Engage World Health Assembly delegates, the UN family and the Geneva community in a celebration of WHO’s 70th birthday.
- Launch a global movement to promote health and particularly physical activity as part of a healthy sustainable future.
WHO was joined by the Ville and Canton of Geneva, the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations, the United Nations Office at Geneva, Permanent Missions to the UN offices in Geneva, and other interested parties in staging this event.
Governments, community groups, advocates of health and members of the public around the world are encouraged to stage similar events during 2018 as part of WHO’s 70th anniversary and in support of promoting healthier lifestyles and access to health
for all through universal health coverage.
WHO/L.Cipriani
World champion runner Haile Gebrselassie takes part in WHO Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge
The World Health Organization was honoured to have champion long-distance runner Haile Gebrselassie participate in the Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge event on 20 May 2018 in Geneva.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said: “Being physically active is one of the most important ways to stay healthy and prevent disease. Having Haile Gebrselassie join us for the Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge is a great honour. His participation sends a powerful message about the role that physical activity can play for all people to improve their health.”
Mr Gebrselassie said he was excited to be taking part in this first-ever WHO Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge. “In my opinion, being physically active is essential for good health. People do not need to be Olympians or athletes to enjoy the many benefits of being physically active. In our daily lives we should move for health in any way we can so that we can be healthier and better able to enjoy our lives.”
“I support WHO’s mission to promote healthy lives for all people, and I believe countries can do much to make it easy for their citizens to be more physically active to improve their health. This can result in so many gains for a person’s own health, as well as the growth and well-being of their communities.”
During the 20 May event, Mr Gebrselassie, a multiple Olympic and World Champion long distance runner and world record holder, participated in a range of activities, including taking part in the official opening with Dr Tedros and conducting a 30-minute master running session with Geneva athletes.
WHO/L. Cipriani
Hundreds take part in giant yoga session at Place des Nations
As part of the Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge event, hundreds of people participated in a mass yoga session in the Place des Nations on Sunday 20 May.
The yoga session was organised by WHO in conjunction with partners from the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in Geneva, the University of Geneva and the University Hospital of Geneva.
Professional teachers from Geneva’s
yoga community guided people through a 30 minute session both in English and French. 
WHO/L. Cipriani
Health, human rights champion Graça Machel speaks at Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge
Mrs Graça Machel, Board Chair of The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health and co-founder of The Elders, the group of independent leaders brought together by Nelson Mandela to work for peace, justice and human rights, took part in the Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge event on 20 May in Geneva.
Mrs Machel, a former Mozambican freedom fighter, is a global champion for women's and children's rights and an advocate for universal health coverage.
In the lead up to Nelson Mandela’s 100thanniversary in 2018, The Elders and civil society partners, including the Universal Health Coalition, are celebrating grassroots moral leadership through the #WalkTogether campaign. By showcasing positive steps and inspiring citizen action, the #WalkTogether campaign is encouraging greater progress on the long walk to Health for All. A #WalkTogether for #HealthForAll team will be at the Place des Nations at the 20 May event. Please find them and join the movement - tell the world why you are walking for health.
Mrs Machel took to the stage with WHO Director-General Dr Tedros to speak in front of hundreds of people at Place des Nations, the start and end point of the Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge. She made an impassioned call for advancement of universal health coverage to ensure that all people have access to affordable, high quality and equitable health care.
Social media
Demonstrate what you do to promote health and well-being by sending a photo, video or message through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtag #HealthForAll
On Facebook, you can also show your interest through the Facebook event notice.
Stage an event
If you are interested in staging your own similar event, please contact WHO at walkthetalk@who.int for more information.
Contact
Paul Garwood - garwoodp@who.int
