In order to foster international collaboration and exchanges in mathematics education, the ICMI organizational outreach has for many years included international and multi-national organizations with interest in mathematics education, each operating in ways consistent with the aims and values of the Commission. Opportunities have evolved over time for organizations to formalize their links with ICMI. Before 2009, ICMI recognized links with International Study Groups and ICMI regional conferences. With the revision of its Terms of Reference made in 2009, ICMI introduced the notion of affiliation to ICMI of multi-national organizations active in mathematics education.
To clarify the formal links that mathematics education organizations may have with ICMI, two types of ICMI Affiliate Organizations are now recognized:
ICMI Affiliate Organizations are independent from the Commission, being neither appointed by ICMI nor operating on behalf or under the control of ICMI, and they are self-financed. However, in certain circumstances Regional Affiliate Organizations may apply to ICMI for limited funding to support participation of delegates from developing countries. Details and application form are available here.
ICMI Affiliate Organizations produce a brief annual report on their activities for the ICMI annual report and a quadrennial report to be presented to the General Assembly of ICMI. They are offered a place in the program of each quadrennial ICME for the purpose of promoting the work of their organizations and raising awareness of their contributions to mathematics education. Where there is a conference attached to an Affiliate Organization, preparation of a short report of the conference is invited for publication in the ICMI Newsletter.
ICMI appoints members of its Executive Committee to act as a liaison between each Affiliate Organization and the EC.
Affiliation may be terminated by decision of the ICMI Executive Committee, or by request of the Affiliate Organization. How to apply to be recognized as an ICMI Affiliate Organization is explained at the bottom of this page.
The ICMI Thematic Affiliate Organizations and Regional Affiliate Organizations have very different historical and organizational backgrounds. They are listed below with their year of affiliation.
The following ICMI Affiliate Organizations have an international network with specific thematic interests related to mathematics education.
The following ICMI Affiliate Organizations have a regional scope (i.e., are active in more than one country), typically with broad interests related to mathematics education.
An application to be recognized as an ICMI Affiliate Organization should be submitted to the ICMI Secretary General via email. The application should address three criteria to demonstrate that the organization:
(1) has aims that align with ICMI’s aims and values (see https://www.mathunion.org/icmi);
(2) has either (a) a broad international network with specific thematic interests related to mathematics education (for Thematic Affiliate Organizations) or (b) regional scope, being active in more than one country (for Regional Affiliate Organizations), and pursues broad interests related to mathematics education;
(3) is self-financed, has an organizational structure and governance arrangements (e.g., with terms of reference, statutes, a constitution or by-laws, etc.) that support the organization’s sustainability and the quality of its activities.
The application should state the name and contact details of the person responsible for its submission, together with the URL of the organization’s website or similar information that will allow ICMI EC members to view the scope of its activities.