Team meetings ideas needed

[wineandsun]

I have been given the task to chair monthly meetings which will be split over 3 sessions with approx 50 people in each session. A mix of staff mostly technical. The previous meetings have had no interaction at all. My task is to get people to engage. Approx 80% of attendees English isn't their first language so potentially some don't want to talk in from of a virtual group. Although all their English is very good I understand they may be apprehensive.
So... what can I to get people to engage, interact etc... the meeting is really just a team meeting so I'll give some general info and they probably have about 15 minutes to fill. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

50 people is far too large for any interaction. You need to identify exactly what the goal of these meetings are so that you all feel you are achieving something.

It seems your goal is to bring international teams together and increase cooperation, if this is the case and the meetings are regular could you have a sort of rotating chair where each team chooses the topic, presents what they are working on and raises any issues that affect them on their turn?

Depending the aim - ice breaker, team building etc - we have often started with a practical activity.

‘Building a free standing structure from newspaper’ is a great one for team work.

Arranged in groups of 5 or 6. Perfect for bringing people together but also we use it to observe the team and team members. Who takes on the leadership role? how do individuals work with others? , which are the people who find it difficult to cooperate? etc.

Also came on to say mentimeter