Mumbai,Reliance Foundation brought together leading international and Indian education experts, policymakers and grassroots practitioners for its two-day convening ‘Building Flourishing Futures’, held on February 7–8 at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School (NMAJS), Mumbai. The event focused on advancing early childhood and primary education through dialogue, innovation and practice sharing.
More than 250 education practitioners, including Anganwadi educators and experts from India and across the world, participated in the convening, engaging in masterclasses, learning labs and panel discussions aimed at strengthening foundational learning for lifelong impact.
Rooted in the vision of Reliance Foundation Founder and Chairperson Smt Nita M. Ambani, the second edition of Building Flourishing Futures was held under the theme “Meeting Learners Where They Are: From Early Childhood to Primary Education.” The discussions emphasised how nurturing relationships, emotional safety and a strong sense of belonging in the early years lay the foundation for lifelong learning, resilience and well-being.
Speaking at the convening, 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, we aim to create a platform for educators to exchange ideas, insights and best practices to build inclusive learning ecosystems where every child can flourish.”
Building on learnings from its inaugural edition, which explored the role of early childhood education in community development, the 2026 convening expanded its focus to include primary education, offering a continuum of perspectives across early years and foundational learning.
The event featured renowned international speakers including Dr Rebecca Rolland (Harvard University), Prof Marilyn Fleer and Dr Prabhat Rai (Monash University), Ms Fiona Carter (International Director, Wellington College, UK), Dr Rita Chawla-Duggan (Bath University, UK), and Ms Beatrice Moccia (Raoul Wallenberg International School, Spain).
Indian experts and sector leaders participating in panels and discussions included 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; and Ms Nina Bual, Cyberlite, among others.
The programme was structured across three parallel thematic streams:
- Foundations of Curiosity: The Art of Early Learning, focusing on play, relationships and environments that nurture curiosity in early years;
- Count, Read, Grow: The Cornerstones of Success, centred on joyful and developmentally appropriate approaches to foundational literacy and numeracy; and
- Teaching and Learning Reimagined: AI as a Partner in Education, exploring the role of technology and artificial intelligence in education, with emphasis on safety and equitable access.
Participants also toured the state-of-the-art facilities at NMAJS and the NMAJS Early Years Campus, gaining insights into flexible, child-centred learning environments designed to support personalised education.
A key highlight of the convening was the participation of 20 Anganwadi educators from Reliance Foundation’s capacity-building initiatives in Maharashtra and Telangana. The educators attended specially curated masterclasses led by NMAJS Early Years Campus and Little Nest educators, enabling cross-sharing of practices adaptable to Anganwadi contexts.
The event also marked the release of a new publication, ‘Pedagogies of Play: Innovations in Early Childhood Education’, featuring evidence-based, play-driven approaches drawn from 10 organisations. The publication reinforces Reliance Foundation’s commitment to strengthening the education ecosystem and supporting educators shaping the future of learning.
