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.
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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.
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
Whitney Szmodis
Assistant Director, Office of Fellowship Advising and UN Programs
phone: (610) 758-4716 wes307@lehigh.edu
News & Announcements
News
Faculty panel discusses President Donald Trump’s speech to the United Nations
The Lehigh University and United Nations Partnership hosted a faculty teach-in on Sept. 24, where three Lehigh faculty members weighed in on Trump’s address to the UN.
News
UN Special Adviser Adama Dieng calls for humanity, accountability to counter hate crimes
Adama Dieng, the United Nations Secretary-General’s special adviser on the prevention of genocide discussed global issues like human rights abuses, war crimes, human trafficking and genocides.
News
Lehigh Places Intern at UN in Geneva
Brian Letts ’18 is the 44th Lehigh student to intern at the United Nations, but the first one to do so outside of New York. He is working at Sustainable United Nations (SUN) in Geneva, Switzerland.
