Dan Coviello, graduated from the EP program and went on to serve two terms as chair of the United Nations’ Department of Public Information (DPI)/Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) Youth Representative Program. The DPI/NGO Youth Representative Program enables young people to advance the mission of participating NGO by representing them in educational, orientation and training opportunities at the United Nations.
As chair, Coviello created an institutional structure for the program and enhanced communication between the NGOs and the UN. He developed youth-led conferences and briefings, and outreach through social media, blogs and newsletters.
He has since moved into an internship position with the policy analysis branch of the UN’s Division for Sustainable Development and will train two representatives to serve as youth delegates for Tarumitra, an environmental NGO based in India. “Lehigh will help open doors for you, but it’s up to you to take that step through,” he says. “Through it all, I’ve realized that if you have passion, ambition and a good network, there’s no telling what can happen if you set your mind to something. My route hasn’t been direct, but it’s been fun every single turn.”