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 This Week at Global Lehigh newsletter 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.
United Nations International Labor Organization / Lehigh University Research Externship
During January 2021, more than 70 students from Lehigh University, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador and Global Villagers from around the world participated in the world's first LU/UN Partnership Research Externship in Collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO). During this intensive 4-week (virtual) session they conducted research on issues related to: Human Trafficking, Living Wage, Child Labor and AI / Automation. Their final presentations, below, were made to ILO senior officials and experts from around the world.
Below are the final reports from each of the 11 teams for review:
| Team 1 (AI Automation) | Team 5 (Child Labor) | Team 9 (Living Wage) |
| Team 2 (AI Automation) | Team 6 (Human Trafficking) | Team 10 (Living Wage) |
| Team 3 (AI Automation) | Team 7 (Human Trafficking) | Team 11 (Living Wage) |
| Team 4 (Child Labor) | Team 8 (Human Trafficking) |
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
Representatives and Interns
Andrew Ward
Professor, Management and the Charlot and Dennis E. Singleton '66 Chair
Alternate Representative to the United Nations
Secil Sozuer
Lehigh University United Nations Youth Representative - Health Focus
Sophia Holt
Lehigh University United Nations Partnership Intern
Sam Barney-Gibbs
Communications Intern
William Newbegin
Communications Intern
News & Announcements
News
Zemichael Gebeyehu ’24 uses the UN as a launching point for his studies, career
Gebeyehu wants to help developing countries reach space, in a sustainable way.
News
Lehigh Partners with UNDP on Green Entrepreneurship MOOC
More than 1,800 people will participate in the Massive Open Online Course offered by the United Nations Development Programme is offering the through its Learning for Nature program.
News
A tale of three countries: ILO talks workforce shifts in time of COVID-19
Lehigh's United Nations Partnership and the International Labour Organization hosted a discussion about the impact of the pandemic on current and future labor markets.
