Institut Teknologi Bandung

In addition to that, Elnaya's writing was also read at the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26). COP26 is an international event that gathers world leaders to discuss and solve climate-related issues. Her exceptional writing has also been incorporated into an anthology alongside other famous authors such as Greta Thunberg.

Elnaya said that she forgot if she had ever sent her article to the Hay Festival. She only remembered it when she was contacted by the committee. Regardless of whether it is a competition or not, Elnaya said that by writing, she feels more calm and at ease.

In her writing, she talked about her experience when living in another country. Through this experience, she compares the climate condition between the two nations, the UAE and Indonesia. "So apart from being an Environmental Engineering student, I also brought these issues because I have truly experienced the drastic change of the climate condition in the last 10 years firsthand," Elnaya said.

She hoped that her writing can have an impact on its readers, especially the world leaders who have listened to her writings during COP 26. She hopes that those world leaders can make the right decision. "If I, who is only a student, can understand the grave danger of climate change, surely those world leaders could perceive the bigger impact," she said.

She also hoped that the world leaders would make the right decision to propose policies that can accurately address the issues, and not only be an act of lip service. "Policies that will be proposed should correctly address their concern, not only to fulfill their obligations," she said firmly. She realized that her statements would not change what had already happened, but she hoped that at least everyone could work together to save the future.

Previously she received a message from her family, which she then put into her writing. She believed that everything that exists in this world is not necessarily meant for us. Just like borrowing something, one day you should return it in good condition after you have finished using it.

Hearing this news, she felt very happy and grateful because her writing gained international attention and was read at an important conference. She does not forget to deliver her gratitude to her friends and family. She wanted her next writings to be even better and much more useful to other people.

At the end of the interview section, she delivered a message to her friends and family, and for all the people who are struggling right now to not give up their hope. "Remember, God works in a mysterious way, it is natural to feel like you are hopeless now, but in the future who knows?" she said. She also believes that all good things will be supported by the universe. "This universe will work for us if there is a good hope inside our desire," she added.

Reporter: Kevin Agriva Ginting (Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, 2020)
Translator: Favian Aldilla R (Civil Engineering, 2019)