Jean-Paul Lehners (born 20 April 1948 in Grand Duchy of Luxembourg) is a Luxembourgish historian specialized in the field of global and demographic history. He is also involved in the study of human rights. Lehners is professor of global history and holder of the UNESCO Chair in Human Rights at the University of Luxembourg. Academic life After completing the "Cours Supérieurs" (higher courses) in Luxembourg in 1967, Lehners studied in Strasbourg, France, as well as Vienna, Austria, between 1968 and 1973. In 1973, Lehners obtained a doctorate from the University of Vienna. From 1973 to 1975, Lehners worked as the assistant of Michael Mitterauer at the Institut für Wirtschafts- und Sozialgeschichte der Universität Wien. Between 1976 and 1994, Lehners was lecturing at the University of Trier on themes such as quantitative methods in history, historical demography, history of family structures, analysis of school manuals, fear & security from the 16th to 20th centuries, history of European expansions by texts and controversy on numbers in history between 1976 and 1994. In 1975, Lehners completed his internship and became course responsible at Lycée Michel Rodange, where he worked until 1980. Afterwards, he moved to Lycée technique Michel Lucius and taught there until 1987, then moved back to his former institution, Lycée Michel-Rodange, and where he taught until 1995. Between 1984 and 1987, Lehners taught at the Centre Universitaire; then became responsible for the course until 1990. Lehners obtained the title of professor in 1990 and taught at the Centre Universitaire and, from 2003 onwards, at the University of Luxembourg Lehners became the vice-rector of the University of Luxembourg between 2003 and 2007. Since 2011, Lehners has been active as the first holder of the UNESCO Chair in Human Rights at the University of Luxembourg. Social work When Lehners was a student, he took part in ALUC (Association Luxembourgeoise des Universitaires Catholiques) as his orientation was towards the Catholic left wing. However, he quit this association as he thought it was just a political ensemble. According to Lehners, it was the first step of joining into the Christian Social Party. While he was studying in Vienna, he took part in a reflection group where he learnt about non-violent action and how to solve conflicts without causing harm from an Indian Jesuite. The social aspect of society has always been highly important for Lehners, that is to say, taking action for the poor and