Martin Grötschel. Image: TU Berlin/Pressestelle/Ulrich Dahl

"Anyone can learn mathematics, if it's taught appropriately," says Martin Grötschel, Secretary of the International Mathematical Union (IMU). That's an important statement, since mathematics has never been so important to society as a whole than it is now. We talk to Grötschel about the challenges that lie ahead, from teaching maths at school to integrating mathematicians from developing nations, and the role of the IMU in building the future of maths. We also talk about creativity in maths and Grötschel's dream of making all mathematical works ever produced freely available online.