Mathematics in Latin America and the Caribbean: so much happening, so much to do

Abstract

In 2010, prior to the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) held in Hyderabad, new authorities of the Commission for Developing Countries (CDC) of the International Mathematical Union (IMU) were elected. In 2011, the CDC met at the new permanent office of the IMU at the Weierstrass Institute in Berlin. Part of the discussion centered on the possibility of organizing a meeting of sponsors of the IMU prior to the next ICM to be held in South Korea in August 2014. One a priori requirement was stressed for the sponsors’ meeting: The IMU should know the most urgent needs of the member states and the possibilities for mathematical development. Once this was achieved, resources would be able to be identified and allocated to strategic programs such as volunteer lecturer programs. The mapping of needs and strengths would serve as a guide to what is feasible to do and where to do it. This article presents the highlights of the report on the mathematical development in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The event bringing together sponsors and development projects (MENAO, Mathematics in Emerging Nations: Achievements and Opportunities) was held on August 12, 2014, in conjunction with the NANUM 2014 program in which the Korean ICM hosts invited 1,000 mathematicians from the developing world to attend the ICM. Nanum is a Korean word that means gracious and unconditional sharing.