My book to convince and help adults to listen more to children · 2023
Het Recht op een Stem
After making my debut in 2021 at the age of fourteen with 'Our Right', a book about fellow children's rights activists, In 2023 I picked up the pen to tell my own story. About lessons learned regarding child participation, and highlighting both good and bad experiences I had.
After making his debut in 2021 at the age of sixteen with ‘Our Right’, a book about fellow children’s rights activists, Lars Westra has now picked up the pen to tell his own story. Over the past seven years of advocating for children’s rights, he has faced hatred and threats, but also learned many valuable lessons, which he has brought together in this book. He has combined these with his own experiences, presented as diary entries. From being manipulated in front of rolling cameras and an angry female politician accusing him of being used by others, to enjoyable moments such as his many interviews with politicians in the run-up to elections.
Still, Lars is realistic: after all, he is ‘only’ sixteen years old. That is why each chapter also features contributions from experts, people with first-hand experience, or fellow children’s rights activists. Lars has set himself the goal of both convincing and helping adults to listen more closely to children. Will he succeed with this book? That’s for you to decide!