NOTE:  This fifth version of the Terms of Reference of ICMI was adopted by the Executive Committee of the International Mathematical Union at its meeting held at Institut Henri-Poincaré in Paris on April 12-13, 2002.  It was in force until a new version was adopted in 2007.

NOTE:  This fourth version of the Terms of Reference of ICMI was adopted by the General Assembly of the International Mathematical Union which met in Oakland on July 31st and August 1st, 1986.  It was in force until a new version was adopted in 2002.

NOTE:  This third version of the Terms of Reference of ICMI was adopted by the General Assembly of the International Mathematical Union which met in Warsaw on August 8-9, 1982.  It was in force until a new version was adopted in 1986.

NOTE:  This second version of the Terms of Reference of ICMI was adopted by the Executive Committee of the International Mathematical Union at its meeting held in Paris in April 1960.  It was in force until a new version was adopted in 1982.

NOTE:  This first version of the Terms of Reference of ICMI was adopted at the second General Assembly of the International Mathematical Union held in The Hague on August 31st and September 1st, 1954.  It was in force until a new version was adopted in 1960.

Resolved: That the terms of reference and the constitution of the International Commissionon Mathematical Instruction be clarified and determined as follows:

A major ICMI program is the series of ICMI Studies.

Each Study focuses on a topic or issue of prominent current interest in mathematics education. Built around an international conference, it is directed towards the preparation of a published volume intended to promote and assist discussion and action at the international, regional or institutional level. 

The main emphasis of a given Study may be on analytical or action-oriented aspects, but some analytical component will always be present.