The 2026 IDM theme is “Mathematics and Hope”. 

The International Day of Mathematics is an opportunity to celebrate and spread the message that mathematics is beautiful and exciting.  Even a small celebration can make a real difference.  If your time to organize is limited, you can decide to make a special event in your classroom, for instance by using some of the material proposed on the website.  In particular, the new activity on the evolution of trust is related to the 2026 IDM theme.  And don’t forget to post your school on the IDM map.

This virtual IDM 2026 Webinar will take place 13:00–14:30 UTC on March 13, 2026, with the title “Mathematics and Hope”.  It is organized jointly by UNESCO, IDM and IMU.

The webinar will address the many ways in which the future of humanity is intertwined with mathematics and how mathematics can contribute to raising hope in youth. 

Edward Frenkel from UC Berkeley (USA) will give the keynote 15-minute lecture which will be followed by a short activity on the evolution of trust.  A panel on “Mathematics and Hope” moderated by Katie Chicot from the Open University (UK) will gather mathematicians and educators from all continents.

For a detailed program of the webinar, look for “Agenda” towards the bottom of this page and click on “Read more” and then “English”, or click here.

This year, a “host” for the events of March 14 has been chosen: it is Miletus, hometown of Thales, located in the Didim municipality of Aydin, Turkey.  A call for “host country” is planned for the next years.

Please help us, spreading this announcement of the “Mathematics and Hope” UNESCO-IDM-IMU webinar in your community and to university students.

The IDM 2026 map will remain open until the end of March 2026.  It is still time to post your IDM events if you haven’t done so.

The 2026 poster can be downloaded from the IDM website.  Logos can be found in many languages at LOGOS.

The “Evolution of Trust” is a playful introduction to Game Theory based on an online game by Nicky Case.  This activity analyses how two opponents can develop a cooperative strategy. This activity is available in English, French, Spanish, Turkish, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.

Press releases for IDM 2026 will be published in several languages.  You can use them with your community.

Happy celebration of the IDM and come back with projects for the next IDM!