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 1,000 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.
Lehigh Student Speaks at the United Nations
Video by Jordyn Pykon
Ramu Damodaran at Lehigh
Check out the video statement by the creator of the United Nations Academic Impact, upon his visit to Lehigh. Video by Jordyn Pykon
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
Stephanie Ortega
Lehigh University / United Nations Partnership Intern
Mackenzie Lynch
Podcast Development Intern
Charlotte Brown
Digital Media Marketing and Brand Integrity Intern
Jordyn Pykon
Videographer
News & Announcements
News
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.
University News
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.
News
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.