Leonardo León, a 14-year-old from Mexico, is a passionate advocate for children’s rights and education. Known as El Potrillo Lector, he emphasizes that children and adolescents should be recognized as active changemakers in society. Motivated by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Leonardo works to ensure that young people’s voices are heard, their contributions valued, and their protection prioritized. He founded the community library Los 3 Deseos in Tecámac, transforming a neglected area into a vibrant hub for literacy, reading clubs, and cultural participation. Through these initiatives, he fosters critical thinking, creativity, and community engagement among children and adolescents.

Leonardo’s advocacy extends to both local and international platforms. He has organized over 62 virtual events reaching 50,000 people, collaborated with institutions on child rights and education, and represented children in international discussions. Offline, he has impacted approximately 3,000 people through workshops and lectures, directly benefiting over 1,600 students from six public schools through his library project. By creating spaces for learning, expression, and participation, Leonardo empowers his generation to be informed, confident, and active citizens.