I have organized from than 100 events in my duty stations in Timor-Leste and Nepal. Walk the Talk for me is an example of practicing the advice we give to the world to promote health. Other than raising awareness on health issues, I find Walk the Talk to be a team building exercise with WHO colleagues in an informal setting.
This also extends to Ministry of Health, partners and other members of the community.
Some tips for organizing Walk the Talk in your countries
- Be the Change you wish to see in others: Be disciplined and committed. Be the first to arrive no matter what. Be consistent in your commitment- keep Walk the Talk going. When outside the duty station for a meeting, organize a walk there. If there is a residential workshop, all participants which includes different stakeholders are encouraged to participate. Organize Walks with Ministries of Health during World Health Day and other important health days.
- Build an internal critical mass of champions: Walk the Talk is successful in Nepal because it builds on committed internal champions who ensure that walks are organized.
- Proud to be WHO: Investing in visibility items such as Walk the Talk T-shirts gives high returns. This allows participants internal and external to harbor a sense of purpose and oneness.
- Appreciate diversity: Walk the Talk is not a fitness competition but an opportunity to develop healthy lifestyle. Appreciating that participants have different stamina is important and that groups are allowed to maintain their own pace. Everyone is a winner at Walk the Talk.
- Finish on time: As Walk the Talk is held on a weekend.
- Celebrate by sharing: Sharing images and snippets of Walk the Talk on internal office social media platforms encourages others to consider participating while it also celebrates the contribution of those who make the extra effort.