The Mathematical Calender: The European Congress of Mathematics

The Mathematical Calender: 

The European Congress of Mathematics (ECM)

Summary

Starting in 1992, once every four years mathematicians from around the world gather at a major European city in July to spend a few days discussing the latest developments in mathematics.

I have summarised some of what happened at this years ECM in the text below, a comprehensive list of everything that took place can be found on the ECMs homepage. 
http://www.7ecm.de/home.html . That is the site where this information was sourced from.


The European Congress of Mathematics (ECM): Berlin, 18th - 22nd July 2016

Once every four years members of the mathematical community from across Europe gather for the European Mathematical Congress. The broad purpose of this event is to act as a great social and networking event for mathematical professionals whereby the present developments in mathematics can be demonstrated to, and discussed by, a wider audience. Talks are given by invited lecturers on a large range of specialist topics. In addition to the invited lectures, mathematicians from across the world can come and give mini-symposiums (a series of presentations over a two hour time slot) on their areas of expertise.

Given the large number of mathematical professionals present, the congress also serves as fantastic opportunity for the discussion of wider topics outside of research such as the history of mathematics as well as its relation to society. For example, alongside the main course of lectures this year some of the events at this years congress included: discussions around scientific publishing, talks from the association: European Women in Mathematics, and a lecture series on the history of the mathematical development of Berlin.

In association with the ECM, attendees this year also gained free entrance to the new exhibition "Transcending Tradition" curated by the History of Science Working Group at the Goethe University and shown at the Jewish Museum. From the ECMs website:

"The exhibition explores the working lives and activities of Jewish mathematicians in German-speaking countries between the legal and political emancipation of the Jews in the 19th century and their persecution in Nazi Germany. 

It highlights the important role Jewish mathematicians played in all areas of mathematical culture during the German Empire and the Weimarer Republic and recalls their emigration, flight, or death after 1933." 

                                                                             -http://www.7ecm.de/program/cultural_program.html

Other Congresses

While this post is on the European Congress of Mathematics I'd like to conclude it by pointing out that there are many other large regional mathematical congresses across the globe held at regular 3-4 year intervals, such as:

- The Mathematical Congress of the Americas
- The Nordic Congress of Mathematics
- The Latin America Congress of Mathematicians

and

- The International Congress of Chinese Mathematicians