De Montfort University, Leicester (DMU) officially opened a major United Nations global exhibition on campus this week, marking the UN’s 80th anniversary.
The exhibition Shared Lives, Shared Future will be seen at venues around the world and highlights global stories showcasing the impact of the UN.
However, while on campus at DMU – with whom the UN has a longstanding partnership – the exhibition will also contain an exclusive DMU element agreed with UN officials featuring staff and student contributions.
Opening the event, Aimée Comrie, Chief of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Section at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna, said: “This exhibition comes at a critical moment for the UN.
“We are all feeling it, major questions on the values and impact of the UN are coming on a daily basis.
“It is really encouraging to see young people engaging in this university.”
Having worked with the UN for many years, DMU was earlier this year named a Global Academic Hub for one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 11, which promotes sustainable cities and communities.
The event launching the new exhibition was held at DMU’s SDG Hub, where guests were welcomed by Dr Mark Charlton DMU’s lead for SDG 11 and head of the SDG Impact Hub, only hours after many DMU students had been involved in a volunteer project, helping clear litter from the waterways and banks of the River Soar.
During her opening speech, Aimée Comrie, said: “This exhibition marks the UN’s 80th anniversary, something we are very proud about.
“We are delighted the exhibition is being hosted by one of our Global Academic Hub chairs, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
“The DMU exhibition is unique because we were happy to agree to a request to add a further element of stories from DMU staff and students and their own work with the UN and the SDGs.
“On the screens around the room there are 120 stories from people around the world and a further 20 featuring DMU staff and students, a very innovative experience.
“I congratulate you for the work on this exhibition and very much look forward to engaging with you all. I declare the Shared Lives and Shared Future exhibition well and truly opened.”
DMU is the latest venue to host the exhibition as part of the UN’s global anniversary programme.
The event also featured reflections from two DMU students who recently visited the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where they shared their research and personal stories.
Speaking afterwards, Aimée added: “I think it is really impressive to see the SDG Hub here at DMU, the students are so engaged, and the fellows have not just re-exhibited it, but added to it with their own stories of the local community.
“At this time, when the UN is facing some difficult questions, seeing this enthusiasm and engagement from young students is really inspiring.”
Dr Mark Charlton, Head of the SDG Impact Hub at DMU, said welcoming guests from the UN is an important part of the role of the SDG 11 Hub at DMU.
He said: “Having UN speakers on our campus is inspiring for our students and staff.
“A guest with specialist knowledge like Aimée, who had earlier launched a multimillion project at DMU, helps us to connect some of the stark global challenges we face right now with the changemakers of tomorrow.
“It inspires our academic community towards developing impactful solutions through their work.”
The event follows a series of recent engagements delivered in partnership with the UN, including the DMU London opening attended by UN representative Sherri Aldis, and a student delegation visit to United Nations Headquarters, where DMU students presented research and shared personal stories on the global stage.
Posted on Friday 22 May 2026