This symposium brought together mathematicians, physicists and engineers interested in the continuing development and application of mathematical models of granular matter. The main objective was to promote the interchange of new ideas and methodologies in areas ranging from mathematical physics and continuum mechanics to various applications in civil, geotechnical and process engineering. The main themes of the symposium were continuum models for slowly and rapidly sheared granular media, waves, statistical mechanics and statistical physics, with extensive consideration of both numerical simulation and experimental applications.