30 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN | FROM THE NEST After 20 years as a United Nations-accredited non-governmental organization (NGO) in an observer role, Lehigh University’s partnership with the U.N. has expanded significantly. Joining an elite group, Lehigh is now one of only 20 higher education institutions in the world to be officially granted U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) NGO special consultative status with expanded access, privileges and influence. “After a year and a half process, we’re thrilled that our application for the U.N. ECOSOC special consultative accreditation has been unanimously endorsed by all 19 nations serving on the U.N. Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations,” said Bill Hunter, director of the Office of Fellowship Advising and U.N. Programs. “This designation moves us from observer to consultative status, allowing for more meaningful participation and policy impact. It will also dramatically increase opportunities at the U.N. for faculty, staff and students, and amplifies Lehigh’s stature and reputation on the global stage.” Expanding Access, Reach and Influence Lehigh’s new special consultative status expands the partnership’s reach and impact through the U.N. ECOSOC. The ECOSOC focuses on international economic, social and cultural issues, acting as the U.N.’s central forum for discussion and policy recommendations in these areas. Lehigh currently has five representatives to the U.N. The ECOSOC NGO special consultative status enables seven additional Lehigh designees to attend and present at a wide spectrum of U.N. conferences and global gatherings. Additionally, it gives Lehigh first-time access to the U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders. This new designation places Lehigh in the same category as NGOs like Greenpeace, Doctors Without Borders, Amnesty International and the Red Cross. “Lehigh has successfully waded through the diplomatic waters and come out as one of the leading civil society organizations in the world,” said Felipe Queipo, programme management and communications officer for the U.N. Civil Society & Advocacy Section Outreach Division Department of Global Communications. Additional new privileges include the ability to submit written statements prior to sessions; make oral statements at U.N. headquarters; organize and attend parallel events that take place during the session; participate in debates, interactive dialogues, panel discussions and informal meetings; and contribute to the Forums’ outcomes documentation to influence global policy and cooperation. Students can also attend the U.N.’s climate change conference, a yearly gathering that serves as the primary forum for global negotiations to address climate change. Building on a 20-Year Relationship Twenty years ago, Lehigh became the sixth university to ever attain an NGO accreditation at the U.N. NGOs are nonprofit, voluntary groups that work on a wide range of issues, such as human rights, environmental protection, social Lehigh Joins NGOs Granted Special Consultative Status New accreditation expands on a remarkable 20-year partnership with the U.N. By Katelyn Silva “THIS DESIGNATION MOVES US FROM OBSERVER TO CONSULTATIVE STATUS, ALLOWING FOR MORE MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION AND POLICY IMPACT.” —Bill Hunter, director of the Office of Fellowship Advising and U.N. Programs CHRISTA NEU
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