09/02/2018

In Brazil, the activities of the Biennium make mathematics popular.

* The text below was part of Brazil's application dossier for Group 5, the elite of world mathematics, of the International Mathematical Union.

Although popularization has traditionally been neglected in the Brazilian scientific landscape, and even more so in mathematics, the situation has improved in recent years, as some funding agencies have begun to value outreach initiatives, making resources for science museums and fairs more regularly available.

The fact that Brazil is hosting two major events, the 2017 International Mathematical Olympiad and the 2018 International Congress of Mathematicians, has offered a historic opportunity to bring the popularization of mathematics to the forefront, and the mathematical community has taken advantage of this.

Driven by IMPA (Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics), the Brazilian National Parliament formally proclaimed 2017 and 2018 as the Biennium of Mathematics in Brazil, paving the way for a broad and ambitious series of activities aimed at disseminating and popularizing mathematics throughout society, including children and their families, students and their teachers.

The Mathematics Festival, held for the first time in Rio de Janeiro in April 2017, embodied these objectives. Offering a wide range of activities, from lectures and exhibitions to workshops and games, designed for all audiences, the Festival received over 18,000 visitors in four days and was considered a great success.

In July 2017, Rio de Janeiro hosted the 112 delegations that participated in the 2017 International Mathematical Olympiad. The event also attracted significant attention from all major Brazilian media outlets, including prime-time television news.

Also at the initiative of IMPA, the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communication agreed to dedicate the 2017 National Science and Technology Week to the theme "Mathematics is in everything". As the National Week mobilizes the entire higher education and research system, it will certainly be another highlight of the Mathematics Biennium in Brazil.

In addition to the many activities organized by IMPA and SBM, the Biennium website records an extensive program with initiatives from schools, universities, science museums, and other institutions throughout Brazil, aimed at disseminating mathematics in society, with an emphasis on children.

Finally, the country is preparing for ICM 2018, the first International Congress of Mathematicians to be held in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as for the 2018 IMU General Assembly. Preparations are underway: venues have already been reserved, detailed plans are being drawn up, including the scientific program, the Open Arms funding program for mathematicians from the developing world, the submission of communication proposals, and the recruitment of volunteers.