The following article is an introduction to the handbook “Intangible Cultural Practices as Global Strategies for the Future”. 20 years after the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The book takes stock. It is divided into five sections dealing with the following topics: (1) Living heritage as an initiator of change; (2) Colonialism, minorities, inequalities and the struggle for human rights; (3) Identity formation, participation and conflicts; (4) Living culture in aesthetic encounters; (5) Challenging issues, future developments and new fields of research. With the help of numerous interdisciplinary and international contributions, the following are examined: (1) intangible and tangible heritage; (2) the selection of practices of intangible cultural heritage; (3) the body and performativity; (4) the mimetic production of intangible cultural practices; (4) community and participation; (5) sustainable development; (6) education for sustainable development, global citizenship and peace; (7) digitalization. The aim of these analyses is to take stock and work out which developments are desirable and possible in the future in order to live as non-violently and sustainably as possible.