Centre for Intrinsic Motivation

Inspiring Sustainable Education Solutions - CIMposium Delhi, 2024

CIMposium 2024 was held recently at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The brought together educators, government officials, NGOs, and researchers to delve into the theme, “Can NGOs sustainably exit the system?” The event, organised by the Centre for Intrinsic Motivation (CIM), aimed to ignite discussions on the sustainability of impactful educational interventions within government frameworks

Drawing a diverse audience of around 160 participants from various sectors, CIMposium 2024 provided a platform for varied conversations. Attendees shared stories of transformation and explored challenges and successes in implementing programs rooted in intrinsic motivation and behaviour change principles.

The event began with a captivating video sharing transformative stories from Delhi schools where CIM made a difference. Ms. Swaha Sahoo, Executive Director of CIM, set the stage for discussions by highlighting successful collaborations with Delhi’s Education Department. She emphasised the importance of autonomy, mastery, and purpose in education.

The panel discussions had experts from various sectors like Chetan Kapoor, COO Tech Mahindra Foundation;  Mr. Sudarshan Suchi, CEO of Save the Children India;  Mr. Shailendra Sharma, Education Advisor to the Delhi Government; Mr. Arun Poddar, Co-Founder and CEO of Aspirational Bharat Collaborative and Kaivalya Education Foundation and more. They delved into complexities surrounding sustainable exits, funding challenges, and the effectiveness of professional development communities. Panellists underscored the importance of continuity strategies, community engagement, capacity building, and outcomes-based financing in driving enduring impact

A significant highlight was the launch of the “Communities of Practice for Teacher Professional Development” research study, shedding light on the benefits and potential of CoPs in fostering professional growth among educators. The session underscored the importance of collaborative learning and knowledge sharing among educators to drive positive change and innovation in teaching practices.

Another milestone was the introduction of the “Unpacking Change in Large Systems” Impact Diary, that showcases the journey of the Teacher Development Coordinator (TDC) program. This resource offers valuable insights for NGOs, civil society organisations, researchers, and educators, highlighting key milestones, processes, and mindset shifts necessary for growth and sustainability

The success of CIMposium 2024 and initiatives like the TDC program can be attributed to the tireless efforts of the CIM Delhi team. Through capacity-building initiatives, reflective coaching discussions, and mentorship support, they have empowered stakeholders to lead at the district level, fostering a culture of data utilisation and building strong partnerships with government entities.

CIMposium 2024 showcased CIM’s collaborative efforts in education are paving the way for lasting improvements. By nurturing sustainable partnerships with government systems, CIM has initiated crucial dialogues about NGO sustainability, sparking an open conversation that transcends boundaries and fosters lasting change in education.