The MWN mission is to foster international cooperation in materials research and education and serve as a platform for addressing global challenges (i.e. energy, environment, health, security, etc. ) via materials science and technology.

MWN launches cross-cutting intiatives that:

• Involve members from diverse sectors, regions, and science and engineering disciplines
• Integrate research and education
  
• Promote science literacy and public understanding of materials science
• Develop leadership capabilities in young researchers
• Build global capacity in materials research, engineering and education
• Establish lasting infrastructures to support regional and international cooperation

MWN's guiding principles are joint ownership, global funding, and universal participation.