20th ICMI Study Conference (ICMI 20)

Devoted to the development of mathematical education at all levels, the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI) is a commission of the International Mathematical Union (IMU), an international non-governmental and nonprofit scientific organisation whose purpose is to promote international cooperation in mathematics.

Founded at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Rome, 1908 with the initial mandate of analysing the similarities and differences in the secondary school teaching of mathematics among various countries, ICMI has considerably expanded its objectives and activities in the years since. 

ICMI offers a forum to promote reflection, collaboration and the exchange and dissemination of ideas on the teaching and learning of mathematics from primary to university level.  ICMI works to stimulate the creation, improvement and dissemination of recent research findings and of the available resources for instruction (e.g curricular materials, pedagogical methods, the appropriate use of technology, etc.). 

The Commission aims to facilitate the spread and understanding of information on all aspects of the theory and practice of contemporary mathematical education from an international perspective. ICMI has the additional objective of providing a link between educational researchers, curriculum designers, educational policy makers, teachers of mathematics, mathematicians, mathematics educators and others interested in mathematical education around the world.

ICMI takes initiative in inaugurating appropriate activities, publications and other programmes designed to further the development of mathematical education and to improve the public appreciation of mathematics.  It is also charged with the conduct of IMU's activities on mathematical or scientific education.  In the pursuit of its objectives, ICMI cooperates with various thematic and regional groups formed within or outside its own structure. 

Among international organisations devoted to mathematics education, ICMI is distinctive because of its close ties with the professional communities of mathematicians and mathematical educators as well as its
breadth – thematic, cultural and regional.

Proceedings of the international Conference for ICMI Study 20, held in Lisbon, Portugal, on 11-15 October 2010. The international ICMI Study is a joint study between the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI) of the International Mathematical Union and the ICIAM.