The virtual exchange of experience was attended by the Director of the Department of Education and Rural Social Policy, Robert Jakubik, representatives of the French Embassy in Poland Marie-Christine Le Gal – Agricultural Counsellor, Bożena Ciszak – Agricultural Attachée and Izabela Laskowska – Director of the Vocational Training Office at the National Agency of the Erasmus+ Programme. The meeting was also attended by representatives of French and Polish agricultural schools.

The international meetings are to bring closer the agricultural education functioning in the Polish and French systems. Thanks to the exchange of experience and good practices, it will be possible to use the good, proven systemic solutions existing in our countries.

- We are very happy to be able to offer these flows of experience, information, cordiality and best wishes, but above all, the exchange of competence so widely. – said Minister Szymon Giżyński during the inauguration of School Dating – We are convinced that our relations have a great future, because they also have a great tradition of professional contacts. I do not know any activist, leader of agricultural association in Poland, who in the last 30 years has not been in France, even several times, in order to observe the solutions, exchange and gain experience, compare management methods. We sincerely thank France for this, and this is done in a friendly, kind spirit.

The Minister drew attention to the role of agricultural education in Poland:

 - The number of agricultural schools under the ministry is constantly increasing. They are being invested in and covered by international cooperation. We very much count on the friendship of and cooperation with the French side. Our meeting is the best proof that even in these difficult times, we do not forget how much we can offer each other to our mutual benefit from the legacy of our own experiences and achievements.

Participants in the meeting emphasised the importance of agricultural schools in preparing staff for the needs of the agri-food sector, noting at the same time the important role of scientific institutions, representatives of the agricultural industry, entrepreneurs and employers in creating and co-creating the model of agricultural education.

Information on the role of agricultural education in the educational system in Poland was presented by Robert Jakubik, Director of the Department of Education and Rural Social Policy.

It is intended that the School Dating 2021 initiative is the first practical step towards establishing direct cooperation between teachers at departmental agricultural schools with partner agricultural schools in France. The next move belongs to the schools. The atmosphere at the meeting suggests that it will be made.