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
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.
News
Running plastic pollution out of town step by step
Sam Bencheghib is passionate about adventure and the environment. The 22-year-old athlete and environmental activist’s voice is enthusiastic and exuberant about his quest to raise awareness about the world’s plastic pollution crisis.
News
Lehigh Places First Intern at UN Geneva
Brian Letts fed his passion for sustainability and environmental stewardship as a graduate student enrolled in Lehigh’s Environmental Policy Design program - and now, he’ll be the first United Nations intern from Lehigh to serve in Geneva, Switzerland.
