World Active Appoints New Chair, Sets Sights on Global Health Goals

Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness

World Active has appointed Amy Boone Thompson, CEO and owner of IDEA® Health & Fitness Association, as the Chair of the organization. This decision was made at the second annual World Active General Assembly and Summit held on April 12 at the FIBO Global Fitness convention in Cologne, Germany. Representatives from over 60 international organizations participated in this event, electing new council members who will lead the organization into its next phase.

Amy Boone Thompson, stepping up from her role as Vice Chair, expressed her enthusiasm about the direction of World Active. "We are eager to strengthen our collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international partners. Our mission remains clear: to inspire more people to engage in regular physical activity for improved public health worldwide. There’s much more we can achieve together, and we’re committed to making a meaningful impact," Thompson stated.

Alongside Thompson, the newly elected Vice-Chair David Stalker and Treasurer Samir Kapoor will play crucial roles in advancing the initiatives of World Active. The council members, as per the World Active Charter, include Jana Havrdova (Czech Chamber of Fitness) representing Europe, Samir Kapoor (India Active) representing Asia, David Stalker (EuropeActive) also for Europe, Richard Beddie (Exercise New Zealand) for Oceania, and Amy Boone Thompson (IDEA® Health & Fitness Association) for North America. This structure emphasizes the organization’s commitment to continental representation and equality among its stakeholders.

Reflecting on the global collaboration, Thompson highlighted the impact of World Active’s interaction with the WHO, "It’s amazing to see what we can learn from one another," she remarked. "Last year, we had the opportunity to represent World Active at the World Health Organization, and that gave representatives a completely different perspective of how and why we need to work together if we really want to have an impact on global levels of physical activity. With many more countries on board, I believe we are moving in the right direction. Having World Active invited and recognized by WHO is a massive step forward in getting the industry recognized." The World Active Summit, the organization's flagship event, continues to unite global stakeholders to promote health and well-being through collaborative action and innovation.

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