Lehigh attains distinctive standing among non-governmental organizations, receiving unique consultative status from the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Lehigh University has made a significant leap in its relationship with the United Nations, as it has been granted ECOSOC NGO special consultative status. This new designation places Lehigh in an exclusive category of only 20 higher education institutions worldwide with such status.
The journey towards this achievement began 20 years ago, making Lehigh one of the six original universities with UN NGO accreditation. The U.N. Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations unanimously endorsed Lehigh's application, marking a milestone in the university's history.
This new status moves Lehigh from an observer role to consultative status, providing the university with additional privileges. These privileges include submitting written statements, making oral statements, organizing parallel events, and participating in debates. Moreover, seven additional Lehigh designees will now have the opportunity to attend and present at various U.N. conferences and gatherings.
The university's new status also grants students and faculty members the opportunity for a significant, tangible experience at the U.N. Over 23,000 faculty, staff, and students from Lehigh have visited the U.N. since the partnership began. More than 150 students have served as Youth Representatives, meeting with global decision-makers, participating in international conferences, and moderating briefings.
Lehigh students can now attend the U.N.'s climate change conference, and the university's NGO status allows it to further integrate the U.N. into its curriculum. This integration aims to present research on a global stage, respond to major U.N. dilemmas, and further Lehigh's commitment to issues such as human rights, environmental protection, social development, and humanitarian assistance.
Lehigh is now in the same category as renowned NGOs like Greenpeace, Doctors Without Borders, Amnesty International, and the Red Cross. Sixty-one students and alumni have held U.N. internships in various roles, including speechwriter, equatorial sustainability advocate, UNESCO policy analyst, program designer, and water resource analyst.
In 2014, students attended a U.N. presentation by Malala Yousafzai, and in 2005, the Lehigh University Philharmonic Orchestra performed for U.N. General Secretary Kofi Annan. More recently, in 2021, Lehigh hosted America's first Model International Labour Organization (ILO) Conference.
With this new status, Lehigh University looks forward to further strengthening its relationship with the U.N., and to making a greater impact on a global scale.
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