MUMBAI: Insightful dialogue, knowledge exchange, and practice-sharing on early childhood and primary education took centre stage at ‘Building Flourishing Futures 2026’, a two-day convening organised by the Reliance Foundation on February 7 and 8 at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School (NMAJS).
The vibrant programme brought together over 250 education practitioners from India and across the globe, featuring masterclasses and learning labs designed to foster cross-learning on innovations in foundational education with lifelong impact.
Rooted in the vision of Reliance Foundation Founder and Chairperson Nita M. Ambani, the convening reaffirmed the shared belief that every child is a world of possibility. This second edition of Building Flourishing Futures was centred on the theme “Meeting Learners Where They Are: From Early Childhood to Primary Education,” highlighting the critical role of nurturing relationships, emotional safety, and a sense of belonging in enabling lifelong learning, resilience, and well-being.
Speaking at the event, Isha Ambani, Director, Reliance Foundation and Vice Chairperson, Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School, said that when education meets children where they are emotionally, socially, and cognitively, it lays the foundation for joyful and meaningful learning. She noted that Reliance Foundation’s work in early childhood and foundational learning is guided by an evidence-informed, deeply human belief that children flourish when they feel cared for, safe, valued, and supported. Through Building Flourishing Futures, she said, the Foundation aims to create a platform for educators to exchange ideas, insights, and best practices for building inclusive learning ecosystems.
Building on learnings from the previous edition—which focused on the role of early childhood education in community development—the 2026 convening expanded its scope to include primary education, offering a continuum of perspectives across early years and foundational learning.
The event featured international experts including Dr Rebecca Rolland (Harvard University), Prof Marilyn Fleer and Dr Prabhat Rai (Monash University), Fiona Carter (Wellington College, UK), Dr Rita Chawla-Duggan (Bath University, UK), and Beatrice Moccia (Raoul Wallenberg International School, Spain).
A distinguished panel of Indian experts also participated, including 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; Bharat Visweswariah, British Asian Trust; Gouri Gupta, Central Square Foundation; Urmila Chowdhury, Peepul; and Nina Bual, Cyberlite, among others.
The convening featured masterclasses and learning labs across three parallel thematic streams: Foundations of Curiosity: The Art of Early Learning, focusing on play, relationships, and environments that nurture curiosity; Count, Read, Grow: The Cornerstones of Success, centred on strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy through joyful, developmentally appropriate approaches; 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 engaged in vibrant cross-sector collaboration, with sessions blending global and Indian best practices alongside field-based insights, closely aligned with the objectives of India’s National Education Policy.
Delegates also toured the state-of-the-art facilities at NMAJS and the NMAJS Early Years Campus, gaining insights into flexible, child-centred learning environments that support personalised education and nurture each child’s unique talents.
A notable highlight of the convening was the participation of 20 Anganwadi educators from Reliance Foundation’s capacity-building initiatives in Maharashtra and Telangana. These educators attended specially curated masterclasses and engaged in practice-sharing sessions to adapt innovative teaching approaches for Anganwadi settings.
The convening also marked the launch of the publication ‘Pedagogies of Play: Innovations in Early Childhood Education’, showcasing evidence-based, play-driven approaches that enhance learning outcomes, inclusion, and holistic development—reaffirming Reliance Foundation’s commitment to strengthening the education ecosystem and supporting educators shaping the future of learning.
