Launch of the UNESCO toolkit ‘’Mathematics for Action: Supporting Science-Based Decision Making’’

This session is organized by ISC Member, the International Mathematical Union (IMU) and brings together distinguished mathematicians and scientists to discuss the Mathematics for Action Toolkit and the importance of mathematics in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The tool kit will be launched virtually on 14 March 2022, 10:00 – 11:00 UTC.

The Open Access toolkit consists in a collection of lively two-page briefs promoting mathematically-grounded solutions to global challenges and highlighting the role of mathematics in addressing the SDGs of the UN 2030 Agenda. It was produced by the following consortium of expert organizations:

• African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)
• African Mathematical Union (AMU)
• Centre de recherches mathématiques (CRM)
• UNESCO Cat II centre CIMPA (Centre international de mathématiques pures et appliquées)
• European Mathematical Society (EMS)
• Institut des Sciences mathématiques et de leurs interactions (INSMI) at CNRS
• Institut de valorisation des données (IVADO), Canada
• International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI)
• International Mathematical Union (IMU) International Science Council (ISC)

Programme

• Opening: Amal Kasry, Chief of Section for Basic Science, Research Innovation and Engineering
• Chair: Merieme Chadid (tbc), Morocco, Chair of the UNESCO International Basic Science Program
• Welcoming: Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO, Science Sector
• Artur Avila (tbc), Switzerland, President of the 2021 Jury for Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Sciences for the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science
• Presentation of the toolkit: Christiane Rousseau, Canada (Chair of Governing Board of International Day of Mathematics and Editor of the tool kit)
• Enhancing Vaccine Design: Mathematics Accelerates Vaccine Innovation – Wilfred Ndifon, Rwanda (Chief Scientific Officer of AIMS Global Network)
• Teaching Mathematics: Mathematics Education for Sustainable Development – Anjum Halai, Pakistan, and Merrilyn Goos, Australia (Vice-presidents of International Commission of Mathematical Instruction): Mathematics Education
• “Mathematics Unites”, the 2022 theme of the International Day of Mathematics: Betül Tanbay, Turkey, Vice-president of European Mathematical Society and Member of the Governing Board of International Day of Mathematics (IDM)
• The central place of mathematics in understanding and addressing complex problems of sustainable development: Daya Reddy, South Africa, inaugural President of International Science Council 2018-2021
• Basic Science and Mathematics for Sustainable Development: Michel Spiro, France, President of International Year of Basic Science for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD 2022)
• Closing: Ghaith Fariz, Director of the Division of Science Policy & Basic Sciences

This launch is part of the UNESCO celebrations of the 2022 International Day of Mathematics and of the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development 2022 (IYBSSD 2022).

Photo by Robert Stump on Unsplash