The W3C mission is to lead the World Wide Web to its full potential by developing protocols and guidelines that ensure the long-term growth of the Web. Below we discuss important aspects of this mission, all of which further W3C's vision of One Web.

Principles

The following principles guide W3C's work.

Web for All

The social value of the Web is that it enables human communication, commerce, and opportunities to share knowledge. One of W3C's primary goals is to make these benefits available to all people, whatever their hardware, software, network infrastructure, native language, culture, geographical location, or physical or mental ability. Learn more about:

• Web Accessibility Initiative
• Internationalization
• Mobile Web for Social Development

Web on Everything

The number of different kinds of devices that can access the Web has grown immensely. Mobile phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants, interactive television systems, voice response systems, kiosks and even certain domestic appliances can all access the Web. Learn more about:

• Web of Devices
• Mobile Web Initiative
• Browsers and Other Agents

Vision

W3C's vision for the Web involves participation, sharing knowledge, and thereby building trust on a global scale.

Web of Consumers and Authors

The Web was invented as a communications tool intended to allow anyone, anywhere to share information. For many years, the Web was a "read-only" tool for many. Blogs and wikis brought more authors to the Web, and social networking emerged from the flourishing market for content and personalized Web experiences. W3C standards have supported this evolution thanks to strong architecture and design principles. Learn more about:

• Web Design and Applications
• Web Architecture

Web of Data and Services

Some people view the Web as a giant repository of linked data while others as a giant set of services that exchange messages. The two views are complementary, and application requirements may be the best determinant of which approach to choose to solve increasingly complex problems with Web technology. Learn more about:

• Essential XML Technologies
• Semantic Web
• Web of Services

Web of Trust

The Web has transformed the way we communicate with each other. In doing so, it has also modified the nature of our social relationships. People now "meet on the Web" and carry out commercial and personal relationships, in some cases without ever meeting in person. W3C recognizes that trust is a social phenomenon, but technology design can foster trust and confidence. As more activity moves on-line, it will become even more important to support complex interactions among parties around the globe. Learn more about:

• Semantic Web
• XML Security, Web of Services Security
• Privacy