On May, 6th, 1992, in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), the International Mathematical Union declared that the Year 2000 will be
the World Mathematical Year.
The Declaration of Rio sets three aims :
- The great challenges of 21st Century
- Mathematics, a key for Development
- The image of mathematics
The European Mathematical Society has set up a committee to enhance contributions to the World Mathematical Year in Europe. As one
project, the EMS has launched a Poster Competition.
Improving the public image and awareness of mathematics is an essential point in having a World Mathematical Year. In the article Experiences with popularizing mathematics, I have
described some of my own experiences with the popularization of mathematics.