A PhD thesis turned into a children's book. An educational book on European and worldwide citizenship.

Amira travels with her father from Wandlitz in Germany to Paris. They fled from Syria five years ago. Amira lost her mother in a bomb attack and still suffers from this loss although she does not show it. She and her father now want to discover Europe, and what is more … get to know the Father of Europe, Robert Schuman. Amira’s father knows that Schuman, together with others, started the first peaceful revolution in Europe! They make leaps through time and discover the amazing way of thinking that brought this Father of Europe to put the person at the heart of all and everything. This might be a way to achieve peace in Syria too, she thinks. Knowing him makes Amira extremely happy, because she now knows how to cope with the loss of her mom and how to make the world a better place!  



Arjen de Wit is a writer of novels, short stories, and other creative texts. He worked as an educational tour guide and moderator for Pro Demos, House for Democracy and the Rule of Law.

Arjen de Wit earned his PhD in Sociology on the relationship between government expenditures and philanthropic donations. As a (freelance) journalist he has worked for various Dutch national media.



Margriet Krijtenburg is senior lecturer at the European Studies Programme and Member of the Research Council on European Integration of The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS). In 2012 she obtained her PhD on Schuman’s Europe. His frame of reference from Leiden University, Faculty Governance & Global Affairs. Dr. Krijtenburg frequently gives conferences in The Netherlands and abroad on Schuman and his ideas about European unification. She is co-editor of scientific journals and each year, together with colleagues and students, organizes the Annual International Schuman Student Congress & Essay Competition on current European issues from Schuman’s perspective.



Jean-François Mazet was born and raised in Longwy (France), a place located at the crossroads of France, Belgium and Luxemburg. He divides his time between France, The Netherlands – where he lives and works as a free-lance illustrator – and Sweden. His favourite techniques are coloured pencils and gouache. He has previously made illustrations for publications in France and Sweden.