The Caravane Foundation is an international movement for social, cultural, and ecological transformation. Its mission is to practice and promote ethical values and wellbeing through craftsmanship, art, innovation in sustainability, agriculture and education. Caravane Foundation is exhibiting the first of the buildings it has commissioned to form a new desert village and art and innovation residency. The building, the Majlis, is made from bamboo and designed by Simón Vélez and Stefana Simic. Traditionally, a majlis is the place where people come together in the Arabian Gulf to discuss local events and issues, exchange news, receive guests, and deepen their connection with one another.

The Venice symposium addressed the Biennale theme: How will we live together? from a number of perspectives including sustainability; living together in increasingly harsh climates; maintenance of traditional crafts to promote stronger communities; traditional architecture as a solution for living together; and agriculture. Expert speakers came from an interdisciplinary mix of expertise and backgrounds. Organisations represented included the Prince’s Foundation (INTBAU), the Smithsonian Institution, RestART Beirut, the Musée du Louvre, and SHDP.