The Rutu Foundation has won the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize 2026 for its Language Friendly School programme. As a member of the network, Optimist International Academy is proud to celebrate this recognition of an approach that values every child’s language and identity.
The award recognises the programme’s work in helping schools welcome students’ home languages and use them to support learning. The Rutu Foundation is the first Dutch organisation to receive this distinction.
What being a Language Friendly School means to us
Our Primary school became a certified Language Friendly School in 2020, under its former name, Optimist International School. The motivation was simple: to create an inclusive environment where students, staff and parents feel welcome, whatever languages they speak.
In an international school, English brings us together as a shared language for learning. Our students’ home languages also have an important place. They connect children to their families and cultures, and help them express ideas, share knowledge and build confidence.
Our early Language Friendly School portrait captured this approach through everyday classroom moments: greeting children in their preferred language, singing birthday songs in different languages and giving students opportunities to share their knowledge in their home language. These small gestures helped communicate a bigger message: your language belongs here.
Being language friendly also means recognising that a child’s knowledge goes beyond what they can currently express in English. Valuing what students bring in all their languages helps us see their strengths as they continue to learn.
Recognition for a shared effort
Since its launch in 2019, the Language Friendly School network has grown to include 70 certified schools in 12 countries, reaching more than 32,000 students.
The Rutu Foundation has emphasised that this award reflects the daily contributions of schools across the network. For OIA, it is an opportunity to celebrate our involvement and the students, families and staff who make our multilingual community what it is.
Thank you to our multilingual learning specialist for supporting this work, and congratulations to the Rutu Foundation and the entire Language Friendly School network!