Step by Step: Celebrating Health and Culture in Indonesia with Walk the Talk

The warm rays of the Makassar morning sun pierced our skin on that vibrant Sunday in August 2023. A lively assembly of 100 participants gathered at Fort Rotterdam, ready to embark on a few hours of walking around the city for the WHO 75's Walk the Talk event. This was a pivotal part of the series of WHO 75 Events and Exhibition sweeping across Indonesia, making waves in Makassar, Kupang, and Aceh in August and September 2023. 

As the flagship event of the World Health Organization, Walk the Talk aimed to not only promote healthy lifestyles but also to raise awareness about the universal pursuit of health for all. In Makassar, participants strolled or utilised their assistive devices along three different 2-4km routes, winding through the historical heart of the city. Accompanying each group was a knowledgeable guide, telling historical details and stories of each location, seamlessly integrating cultural knowledge into the health-centric activity. After the walk, a local chef showcased ways to create a zero-waste, healthy, and hearty traditional dish, adding a burst of flavour to the post-walk experience. 

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 km southeast of Makassar, WHO 75 in Kupang celebrated Walk the Talk in the car-free day area, where people gathered to engage in sports, take leisurely strolls, enjoy traditional delicacies, or even shop for indigenous woven fabrics that adorned nearly every corner of the streets. Following a brief walk, participants were invited to partake in a morning aerobic session, complete with energetic fitness instructors and a backdrop of local music. The festivities of the aerobic session drew in even those not initially participating, creating a livelier atmosphere for health promotions. The island's relentless heat failed to deter the commitment of the participants to complete the Walk the Talk activities. Health checkup stations dotted the event stages, where individuals of all ages could come forward to have their blood pressure tested during the all-inclusive activity.  

Concluding the series of WHO 75 events, WHO 75 in Aceh conducted Walk the Talk by circling the Blang Padang field. This sizable open field is centrally located in Banda Aceh near the Aceh Tsunami Museum, where the main WHO 75 Events and Exhibition was held. Renowned as a gathering place for sports enthusiasts, the walking event piqued the interest of the youth. Mirroring Kupang, Walk the Talk participants in Aceh were invited to join a morning aerobic session after the walk. Post-walk, participants could seamlessly transition to the main area of the WHO 75 Events and Exhibition, where they could enjoy arts and music performances by local musicians. The local touch of each Walk the Talk event reflected the diverse cultural landscape of Indonesia, turning health activities into a celebration of culture and health for all. 

Written by Fieni Aprilia, Digital Communications Officer, WHO Indonesia. Photos credits: WHO/Rumata’, The Leaders, and SkolMus.