IMD is saddened to announce the passing away of Professor Jean-Pierre Lehmann.
Jean-Pierre was a highly active and appreciated member of IMD’s community beginning in 1995, when he joined the school as Professor of International Political Economy.
Born in 1945, Jean-Pierre was well-known as an expert in globalization, global governance, trade and development, the role of business in reduction of poverty and inequality and the socio-economic, cultural, and business dynamics of Asia.
He held roles in a number of public policy institutes and organizations. He was an adviser to governments and corporations, and a frequent commentator in the international media. He authored numerous books and articles primarily dealing with globalization, Asia and the international political economy.
At IMD, Jean-Pierre founded and led the Evian Group, an international coalition of corporate, government, and opinion leaders, united by a common vision of enhancing global prosperity for the benefit of all by fostering an open, inclusive and equitable global market economy in a rules-based multilateral framework.
He spent much of his life working and travelling around the world, returning most often to Asia, where he taught, carried out research and appeared in public forums.
Jean-Pierre was active intellectually right up until the end of his life, continuing his reflections and writings and providing expertise to the international press.
His more recent books include: Japan’s Open Future: An Agenda for Global Citizenship, with John Haffner and Tomas Casas i Klett (2009); Peace and Prosperity through World Trade: Meeting the 2019 Challenge, co-edited with his son Fabrice Lehmann (2010).
He is survived by his wife of over 49 years, Françoise Lehmann née Domergue, as well as his three children and seven grandchildren.
“IMD is immensely saddened by the passing of Jean-Pierre, one of the pillars of our community. Jean-Pierre was beloved among IMD’s faculty and staff alike. He was dedicated and passionate about his area of expertise and made a mark in the field of political economy through his teaching and thought leadership. We are heartbroken for his family and have reached out to them to extend our most sincere condolences. All of us at IMD will remember him with fondness and respect,” said IMD President Jean-François Manzoni.
The family would be grateful in lieu of condolences to share with them a personal memory of Jean-Pierre, however important or trivial: [email protected] so that his integrity, generosity, humanity, wisdom and great humour will remain a reference.
An intimate burial will be held in Fontainebleau, France.
An informal memorial will be organized in Lausanne, Switzerland, by the family and announced at a later date.
Donations in Jean-Pierre’s memory can be made to Mercy Ships: www.mercyships.ch
