In 2004, Lehigh University became the sixth university in the world to gain Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status with the United Nations.
This designation gives the university rare access to the world’s largest intergovernmental organization. Each year more than 1,500 Lehigh faculty, staff and students attend UN conferences, high-level briefings and private meetings with ambassadors and other UN officials in New York City and on campus.
Sign up for the LU/UN Partnership Weekly Update to stay up to date on our latest trips and events.
What is a UN NGO?
An NGO is a non-governmental, non-profit, voluntary citizen’s group organized on a local, national or international level and officially recognized by the UN. An NGO bears the responsibility of disseminating information to its constituency regarding UN beliefs, practices and activities. In turn, NGOs provide a wealth of expertise that shapes and informs UN decision-making.
Upcoming Events
By the Numbers
The UN Connection

Visit the UN
Every semester, we take students and faculty to the UN headquarters in New York.

Hear from Global Leaders
High-level UN officials visit campus to speak with students.

Share Your Perspective
The UN Youth Representative Program connects Lehigh students with global NGOs.
Our Team
Representatives and Interns

Andrew Ward
Professor, Management and the Charlot and Dennis E. Singleton '66 Chair
Alternate Representative to the United Nations

Claire Kirshenbaum
Lehigh University / United Nations Youth Representative

Hasan Jashari
Lehigh University / United Nations Partnership Intern

Emma Closter
Lehigh University / United Nations Youth Representative - Health Focus

Lehigh University / United Nations Partnership Intern
Lehigh University / United Nations Partnership Intern

Megan Reimer
Communications Intern

Digital Media Marketing and Brand Integrity Intern
Digital Media Marketing and Brand Integrity Intern

News & Announcements

Lehigh hosts continent’s first hybrid Model ILO simulation
Lehigh University hosted North America’s first hybrid Model International Labor Organization simulation from April 22 to 24 in coordination with the U.N.

Lehigh Student Represents College of Health in United Nations Partnership
Emma Closter ’24 is the first United Nations Partnership representative from the College of Health.

Lehigh students sit down with diplomats and ambassadors at the UN
The Russian First Deputy Ambassador at the U.N. spent an hour talking with a group of Lehigh students on Feb. 11.