Miriam Gartenberg: What It’s Really Like To Be A United Nation’s Editor

The 2022-2023 ISM school year has made itself stand out by introducing a new elective. A class that once had been a tradition for our school has made its comeback with Mr. Oscar Baiz as its leader. The Model of United Nations, formed by high school students, has become one of the most enriching and popular classes in our institution. Students discuss world issues and the creation of resolutions for the upcoming SAMUN conference in November. Not only do students grow as public speakers and work on their critical thinking but, our MUN class has been presented with the opportunity of speaking to a working UN official: Miriam Gartenberg, an English editor who began working for the UN in 2012. Thanks to our Headmaster, Amy Rojas, (who happened to know the editor from their college days) students had the opportunity to ask her questions regarding her experience as a UN worker and were very pleased with the conversation that took place on Thursday, October 27th.

Two students asked the editor about the languages handled in the United Nations, to which Miriam replied “Arabic, Chinese, English, Russian, and French are the official languages. The French and Spanish departments are the largest. Yet most of the language departments work with English. I work best with French. Russian and Chinese are personally the hardest but it's different for everyone. Certain countries with native languages that aren’t official, have to fund their own translators. Bilateral meetings are when there is a meeting between two heads of state or the secretary general and the delegate of a member state, most countries bring an interpreter [to the meeting].”

Students were mostly keen on knowing about political figures and the editor’s experience with them, especially Secretary General Antonio Guterres. “No, I haven’t formally met Antonio Guterres. I was in the room when he walked past a few times and addressed all the editors and translators. Mr. Guterres didn't need an interpreter. I was also present when the previous Secretary General [Ban Ki-moon] did a tour of the departments.

"Once a year in September, when the world descends on New York, I volunteer as a special officer where I get to welcome all the heads of state, kings and queens, delegates etc.

I don't usually get to chat with them, it's mostly ‘We’re ready for you now, please have a seat,’

It's a crazy week, you're exhausted by the end of the day. But it's amazing.”

Miriam talked about the country representative she was mostly impressed by and what it felt like to be in a room filled with people who held such global power. “[The] Prime Minister of New Zealand was the best. Very nice. She doesn't take many staffers to speak on her behalf, does everything herself, even brought her newborn once! And I was very flattered when she complimented my necklace,” she chuckled. The editor expressed her admiration for the Prime Minister of New Zealand particularly because of her determined way to speak up about women’s rights and indigenous rights.

“There are some heads of state that are great, hilarious, and passionate. Even some of the hardest dictators you hear about are actually very nice and polite, which confuses the way you feel.”

A student asked the editor whether her translator colleagues ever changed the tone of a meeting if it seemed too rough. “Translators can't change the tone of a discussion if they think it's too harsh. The translator needs to match the nuances no matter what. [There’s been] letters that seem so outrageous or don't make sense, and you have to keep it the way it is.”

After listening to Miriam talk about her experience in the United Nations, a student asked whether she ever regretted choosing her job. To which the editor replied “No, never. I find myself very fortunate to have this job that gives me an opportunity to travel and have a stable financial situation. I do, occasionally, wish I could work at home but never regret my decision.”

Our MUN class found the interview incredibly interesting and with satisfactory results, as did Miriam Gartenberg.

Hopefully, our students feel more prepared for the SAMUN conference in Caracas. Meanwhile, as a student body, we’ll be here to support them and cheer for them.