Las matemáticas españolas en su encrucijada

Abstract

The recent celebration of the 25th International Congress of Mathematicians in Madrid last August was undoubtedly the most outstanding milestone in the history of Spanish mathematics. It was in large part a reward for the extraordinary progress made in this discipline in recent years, while at the same time opening up a new phase in this development. The term “Horizon 2006”, which we coined at the time, symbolized the challenge set by providing a definitive boost for Spanish mathematics. In what follows, I will attempt to give a brief description of the recent past, as well as placing the present situation in an international context, with the aim of pointing out not only the great possibilities taking shape in the immediate future, but also the dangers should we fail to adopt the right course.