This open access book (to be found here) highlights various forms of destruction of cultural heritage and analyzes their causes. It proposes strategies to prevent and resolve conflicts based on the integration of cultural heritage into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Since the World Heritage Convention came into force, more than 160 countries have inscribed sites worthy of protection on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The book argues for a balanced distribution of inscribed sites and more effective strategies to represent the global diversity of cultural and natural heritage. It also emphasizes the importance of heritage for identity formation.

Being published online in 2022, it already counts more than 190.000 download links by end of 2023 – proving its relevance for all professionals in heritage management.