Celebrating one year at OG with our Project Assistant, Aqila Kiani Indra
Our brilliant Project Assistant Aqila joined us one year ago. She looks back on the last 12 months at OG and reflects on how much she has grown and developed in her role during this time.
Aqila at OG’s third birthday event which she helped organise at Somerset House
What drew you to work at OG?
Growing up, I have always been neck-deep in nature and the environment. From volunteering at nature reserves in my teens, to working with climate-based NGOs after college, and finally focusing my master's study on women-led environmental movements. While I never envisioned myself working specifically in the maritime sector, I knew that I wanted to work in a place that makes real impact on the world.
Easier said than done of course. Months of fighting for life in the trenches that is London jobhunting as an international graduate, I was on the brink of calling it quits if I didn’t land a job soon. In fact, OG was probably the last application I sent in. And honestly, I never in my wildest dreams imagined I’d actually get shortlisted, let alone pass the first round of interviews. When I got that call, I remember the first thing I said: “Wait… are you sure?”.
Fast forward a few weeks, I stepped into OG, started my new life in the world of climate policy, and most importantly, was in the presence of the galactic superstar that is our Chief Security Officer, Roo!
What has changed since you started?
It's no secret how much OG has been growing in the past year alone, and honestly, it’s been an experience to witness it all. The team has continuously worked hard on making the hiring process more inclusive. For example, sending interview questions beforehand to help accommodate candidates in preparing and better support those with neurodiversity. We also participated in the recent RACE Report as we strive for more racial diversity in the environmental field.
Outside of the team, we recently moved to a much bigger office! We’re now at Fleet Street, where we’re slowly but surely populating our new space with loads of new plants and flowers.
What are you most proud of being involved in since you joined?
Earning Roo’s trust and having her sleep on my lap for a good half an hour. That’s it. I’ve won in life. Show’s over folks. I’ve achieved true enlightenment.
Jokes aside, let’s take a step back to see how much I’ve grown throughout the year. During my early days at OG, I’d ask someone to recheck every email I wrote before sending it off, be it a two-line thank you email, or simply an enquiry on whether the office meeting room was free Thursday next week. I was convinced I had written the death ultimatum of the entire organisation and destroyed years of OG’s good work. (Surprise, I might be a ‘tiny’ bit of an overthinker.)
Fast forward a year later, and I’ve sent off policy analyses to country delegates, helped coordinate an entire birthday event for OG, and even sent a call-out email to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) questioning their support (or lack of) towards climate vulnerable countries.
It’s still crazy to me that my work is being used by real people out there and actively playing a role in global climate talks. Looking back, I’ve accomplished things that would have sent me into a coma in my earlier OG days.
I’m most proud of watching myself grow and building up that confidence to be where I am today. The people at OG have really played a part in that. Everyone has been nothing less than supportive, and it gave me a safe space to experiment with what I was most comfortable with.
Aqila (left, second from front) having lunch with the team
What inspires you about what you’re working on?
I grew up in Indonesia, a country that experiences the blunt force of climate change, and worked directly with those whose lives have changed right before their eyes. So my main driving force has always been to support and amplify the voices of marginalised and vulnerable groups in the broader climate scheme.
And OG does just that. The organisation has been built on a strong sense of justice and equity, something that is still being strived for. As mentioned, I wanted to work somewhere that makes a real tangible impact on the world.
With that said, I’ll admit I’ve never thought I’d be working in shipping decarbonisation policies when I first graduated. But now that I’m here, and after speaking and listening to people from all across the globe facing the same thing, I’m hooked – and more determined than ever to commit to best supporting them going forwards.
What are you looking forward to in the coming year?
This year, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is set to approve and adopt a Basket of Measures that will determine the future of maritime decarbonisation. OG has been working to support climate vulnerable countries in championing the most ambitious way forward. This year will be a historical moment in multilateral climate talks and it's an honour to be part of it. Whatever the outcome, we will continue to strive for a just and equitable transition, one that will ensure no one is left behind.
