International and Indian education experts share insights and innovations at Reliance Foundation’s ‘Building Flourishing Futures’ convening on Early Childhood and Primary Education
Insightful dialogues, knowledge exchange and practice sharing on early childhood and primary education, were the focus of the ‘Building Flourishing Futures’ convening held by Reliance Foundation, on February 7th and 8th at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School. The vibrant programme at the two-day convening with over 250 education practitioners from India and across the world, included masterclasses and learning labs, for cross-learning on innovations in foundational learning, for lifelong impact.
Rooted in the vision of Reliance Foundation’s Founder and Chairperson Smt Nita M. Ambani, the convening underscored a shared belief that every child is a world of possibility. This was the second edition of ‘Building Flourishing Futures’ and the theme ‘Meeting Learners Where They Are: From Early Childhood to Primary Education’ highlighted how nurturing relationships, emotional safety, and a sense of belonging in the early years, enable lifelong learning, resilience, and well-being.
Speaking about the event, Ms Isha Ambani, Director, Reliance Foundation and Vice Chairperson, Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School, said, “When education meets children where they are — emotionally, socially, and cognitively — it creates the foundation for meaningful and joyful learning. At Reliance Foundation, our work in early childhood and foundational learning is guided by an evidence-informed, deeply human belief, that children flourish when they feel cared for, warm, safe, valued, and supported. Through ‘Building Flourishing Futures’, our aim is to create a platform for learning exchange for educators to share ideas, insights and best practices on creating inclusive learning ecosystems that enable every child to flourish.”
Built on learning and engagement from the previous edition that explored the transformative role of early childhood education in community development, ‘Building Flourishing Futures 2026’, expanded the lens to primary education, with a continuum of learning perspectives across early years and foundational learning.
Key international speakers included Dr Rebecca Rolland from Harvard University, Prof Marilyn Fleer and Dr Prabhat Rai from Monash University, Ms Fiona Carter, International Director, Wellington College, UK, Dr Rita Chawla-Duggan, Lecturer, Early Childhood Studies, Bath University, UK, Ms Beatrice Moccia, Head of Primary, Raoul Wallenberg International School, Spain.
The convening featured a distinguished panel of experts, including Shri Kailash Pagare, IAS., Commissioner ICDS, Government of Maharashtra; Dr Preeti Rao, IIT Bombay; Dr Swati Popat Vats, Early Childhood Association & Association for Primary Education & Research; Mr Bharat Visweswariah, British Asian Trust; Ms Gouri Gupta, Central Square Foundation; Ms Urmila Chowdhury, Peepul; Ms Nina Bual, Cyberlite and others.
The convening featured masterclasses and learning labs across three parallel thematic streams:
- Foundations of Curiosity: The Art of Early Learning, on play, relationships and environments that nurture curiosity and deep engagement in the early years;
- Count, Read, Grow: The Cornerstones of Success, on strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy with developmentally appropriate and joyful approaches; and
- Teaching and Learning Reimagined: AI as a Partner in Education, on technology and AI to support\\ teaching and learning, including on topics of safety and equitable access.
The two-day programme created a vibrant space for cross-sector exchange and collaboration. Sessions balanced global and Indian best practices with grounded, field-based insights, aligning closely with the objectives of India’s National Education Policy.
Delegates also toured the state-of-the-art facilities at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School (NMAJS) and the NMAJS Early Years Campus (NMAJS EYC) to see how the flexible learning environment supports personalised, child-centred education and to learn about how NMAJS nurtures every child's unique talents to foster a love of learning.
An important feature of Building Flourishing Futures 2026 was the presence of 20 Anganwadi educators who are part of Reliance Foundation’s capacity building initiatives for early childhood education in Maharashtra and Telangana. During the convening the Anganwadi educators, attended specially curated masterclasses led by NMAJS EYC and Little Nest educators, cross-sharing practices that could be adapted to enhance teaching-learning experience in Anganwadis.
A publication, ‘Pedagogies of Play: Innovations in Early Childhood Education’ showcasing evidence-based, play-driven approaches that strengthen learning outcomes, inclusion and holistic development in early childhood education, launched at the convening reaffirmed Reliance Foundation’s commitment to strengthen the education ecosystem to support educators shaping the future of learning.
