One School One Country: delegations are getting ready to meet French students

On 10 September, over 1,400 Competitors will have the opportunity to meet students from the Lyon region taking part in the One School One Country (OSOC) programme. 69 WorldSkills delegations will visit 52 activated schools and spend the morning interacting with students. While the schools’ educators have been working throughout the year to learn more about their delegation and offer a personalized welcome, delegations are also contributing to the organization of this special day.   

Since the announcement of the pairings at the OSOC launch last January, representatives from each delegation have contacted educators from their paired school to create connection in anticipation to their September meeting. Many delegations introduced their Competitors and skills through detailed descriptions, language presentations, photos and videos, sometimes even venturing to say a few words in French. Other delegations, such as China and Kenya, had the opportunity to talk directly to teachers and their students via video calls, facilitating exchanges and strengthening the links between the schools and delegations.   

Just like schools, delegations are preparing activities to share their culture with French pupils. Some countries, such as the United Kingdom, plan to share traditional dishes, as noted by their Team Leader, who explained that the delegation would be “sharing their favorite regional foods.” Other teams plan to organize more phisical activities, such as the Brazilian delegation, which intends to introduce the students to traditional dance, or the Finnish team, set to “teach pupils how to play two very famous Finnish games: the most popular outdoor game Mölkky and the board game Kimble.” 

Some delegations are also preparing gifts for students, working with teachers to customize these presents. “We’re looking forward to meeting new young people from another country, presenting our team and our country, and having a great time,” rejoiced the Croatian Team Leader.   

Thanks to the collective work of each delegation, ideas are multiplying, and excitement is building every day. One School One Country promises to be both an enriching and celebratory morning, for students and delegations alike.