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.
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 Staff
Jenny Hyest
Assistant Director, Fellowship Advising and UN Programs
phone: (610) 758-4716 jehc@lehigh.edu
News & Announcements
News
Sydney Glenn '17 Connects with UN Change Makers
Lehigh alumna is an intern at the United Nations headquarters in New York, working with the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth.
News
First Youth Rep to serve abroad works at World Health Assembly
Nadine Clopton ’19 represented an NGO while studying abroad in Geneva.
News
Professors Partner with UN NGO to win Grant to Assess Spread of Ebola
Lehigh research pair were awarded an NIH grant to assess the spread of disease.
