Subthemes:Validation and the individual: democracy in action?  Validation and skills: democracy in action?  Validation and inclusion: democracy in action?  Validation and mobility: democracy in action? Inspired by the traditions of the Canadian Secwépemc Pelkwaílc-kt es knucwentwécw-kt and the Irish Meitheal, we invite participants to “gather”, to collaborate, and share, achieving more together than alone.VPL thinkers and practitioners from across the globe will gather to explore approaches to validation, the systems used and the potential they offer. We will consider underlying forces at play, challenges faced, solutions developed, and what all of this means for individuals, for societies, for skills, for inclusion and mobility in the bigger picture of our global practices.Join us on Linked-In and on X (@VPLBiennale)!