
Seda Akço
Co-founder
Graduated from Marmara University, Faculty of Law in 1989. Completed her law internship at Istanbul Bar Association. Received her graduate degree from Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Forensic Medicine Institute. Provided consultancy on child rights to various national and international organizations, including Istanbul Bar Association, British Council and UNICEF since 1990. Conducted in-service trainings for professionals, including lawyers, judges, public prosecutors and police officers since 1994. Has publications on child rights and human rights. Established Humanist Bureau with Bürge Akbulut in 2010.

Bürge Akbulut
Co-founder
Graduated from METU Political Science and Public Administration Department in 1998. Completed her graduate degree in ‘public and international affairs’ at University of Pittsburgh, USA. Continued her doctorate studies on ‘international political economy and social development’ at the same university until 2003. Lectured at Middle East Technical University as part-time instructor on ‘global governance and international development’. Worked as child protection section head at UNICEF Turkey Office between 2004-2010. Established Humanist Bureau with Seda Akço Bilen in 2010.

Nil Atalay
Communication Consultant
Graduated from TOBB University of Economics and Technology, Industrial Design Department in 2019. Completed her graduate degree in London Kingston University in ‘sustainable design’. Currently providing consultancy services in Noon Design in London and working as a communication consultant for Humanist Bureau since early 2021.

Cansu Çabucak
Team Member
Graduated from Lawrence University (WI, USA) with a BA in philosophy and minors in gender studies and government. Completed her graduate degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology Program at Istanbul Bilgi University in 2022. Worked for Humanist Bureau between 2017-2021. Still is a team member in our hearts.

Kesik Kuyruk
Founding Member
Born in 2005 (estimated). Lived on streets until 2007. Lost her half tail due to an unfortunate accident. Adopted Bürge as her owner in 2007. Moved to Istanbul in 2010 with Bürge and became a team member of Humanist Bureau. Retired in 2013 and enjoyed her retirement until 15 May 2020.
K. Begüm Şimşek
Intern
(Aug.-Nov. 2020)
Graduated from Faculty of Law, Galatasaray University. During her internship, she wrote a research paper on “protection of child’s best interest in legal cases about permission to marry”.
Sevde Uzun
Intern
(July-Nov. 2019)
Undergraduate student at Faculty of Law, Istanbul Sehir University. During her internship, she wrote a research paper on the “custody right and legal issues arising from parents’ sharing children’s images on social media”.
Elif Aynacı
Intern
(June-Nov. 2019)
Graduate student in Public Law at Ozyegin University. During her internship, she wrote a research paper on the “integration of child protection and justice systems”.
Simay Arslan
Intern
(June-Nov. 2019)
Undergraduate student at Faculty of Law, Bahcesehir University. During her internship, she wrote a research paper on “ECHR and CRC in ECHR decisions”.
M. Cemre Sarıışık
Intern
(June-Nov. 2019)
Undergraduate student double majoring in EU Relations and Law at Istanbul Bilgi University. During her internship, she wrote a research paper on the “international legislation related to protection of children from digital media and dilemmas in practice”.
Soreş Deniz Tuğrul
Intern
(2018-2019)
Undergraduate student at Faculty of Law, Beykent University. Took courses on political science, international relations, journalism, culture-art and law in Adam Mickiewicz University in 2016-2017 academic year. During his intership, he worked on the “economic crisis and its impact on children in the perspective of modern world and urbanization”.
Balım İdil Dalçık
Intern
(2018)
Undergraduate student at Faculty of Law, Turkish-German University. During her internship, she prepared three presentations on the concept of consent and aggravation of penalties for sexual offences.
Hatice Nihan Sarıhan
Intern
(2018)
Undergraduate student at Faculty of Law, Istanbul Bilgi University. During her internship, she wrote a research paper on the “marriage law in Turkey-Syria perspective”.