This open access book identifies various forms of heritage destruction and analyses their causes. It proposes strategies for avoiding and solving conflicts, based on integrating heritage into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It reflects on the identity-building role of heritage, on multidimensional conflicts and the destruction of heritage, and considers conflict-solving strategies and future perspectives. Furthermore, it engages theoretically and practically with the concepts of responsibility, reconciliation and sustainability, relating mainly to four Sustainable Development Goals, i.e. SDGs 4 (education), 11 (e.g. World Heritage), 13 (climate action) and 17 (partnerships for the goals).More than 160 countries have inscribed properties on the UNESCO World Heritage list since the World Heritage Convention came into force. Improvements in the implementation of the Convention, such as the Global Strategy for a Representative, Balanced and Credible World HeritageList, have occurred, but other conflicts have not been solved. The book advocates for a balanced distribution of properties and more effective strategies to represent the global diversity of cultural and natural heritage. Furthermore it highlights the importance of heritage in identity building.

Part 1. Introduction.- Chapter 1.  Introduction into the overall message of the book: Destruction of Heritage is destroying identity - Shared Responsibility is therefore our common task for the future.- Chapter 2. 50 Years World Heritage Convention – Founding ideas and implementations - What has been promised – What has been achieved – What has not been achieved.-  Part 2. The Destruction of Heritage is Multidimensional – Theoretical Reflections.- Chapter 3. Global Governance.- Chapter 4. Urban Transformation.- Chapter 5. War and Terrorism.- Chapter 6. Climate Change.- Part 3. The Destruction of Heritage is Multidimensional – Case Studies and Narratives.- Chapter 7. Technological Change.- Chapter 8. Commodification of Heritage.- Part 4. The World Heritage Convention – The Day after Tomorrow.- Chapter 9. Responsibility – A guiding principle of the World Heritage Convention - Perception – Implementation – Future.- Chapter 10. Improvement of the article 27 of the world HeritageConvention – Strengthening its appreciation and respect through Education - What has been promised – What has been achieved – What has not been achieved.- Chapter 11. Reconciliation – A guiding principle of the World Heritage Convention - Perception – Implementation – Future.- Chapter 12. Sustainability - A guiding principle of the World Heritage Convention - What has been achieved - What is missing - What is the future perspective.- Chapter 13. Youth’s perspectives on World Heritage – transformation from an expert-dominated concept to a project for the people it is made for.- Chapter 14. The Future of the World Heritage Convention – What shall be achieved in the next years.- Part 5. Results and Outlook.- Chapter 15. Results and Outlook.