This volume contains the edited texts of the lect. nres presented at the International School of Mathematics devoted to Nonsmonth Optimization, held from . June 20 to July I, 1988. The site for the meeting was the "Ettore ~Iajorana" Centre for Sci entific Culture in Erice, Sicily. In the tradition of these meetings the main purpose was to give the state-of-the-art of an important and growing field of mathematics, and to stimulate interactions between finite-dimensional and infinite-dimensional op timization. The School was attended by approximately 80 people from 23 countries; in particular it was possible to have some distinguished lecturers from the SO\·iet Union, whose research institutions are here gratt-fnlly acknowledged. Besides the lectures, several seminars were delivered; a special s·~ssion was devoted to numerical computing aspects. The result was a broad exposure. gi ·. ring a deep knowledge of the present research tendencies in the field. We wish to express our appreciation to all the participants. Special mention 5hould be made of the Ettorc ;. . Iajorana Centre in Erice, which helped provide a stimulating and rewarding experience, and of its staff which was fundamental for the success of the meeting. j\, loreover, WP want to extend uur deep appreci