Initiated by \u0130NGEV (Human Development Foundation) and first organized in 2023, the ActHuman Human Development Awards were presented for the second time this year. At the ceremony held on the evening of Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Pera Museum, awards were presented to individuals and institutions that created significant impact in areas such as women\u2019s empowerment, social innovation, the fight against inequality, environmental sustainability, social cohesion, reconstruction in earthquake-affected regions, rights-based work, and inclusivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the end of the evening, the Prof. Fuat Keyman Lifetime Achievement Award<\/strong>\u2014named in memory of the late Prof. Dr. Fuat Keyman, one of the founding members of INGEV and Vice Rector of Sabanc\u0131 University\u2014was presented to \u00d6mer Madra<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The evening was hosted by K\u00fcbra Par, and the opening speech was delivered by \u0130NGEV President Vural \u00c7ak\u0131r. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests from civil society, academia, and the private sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Award Recipients<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Women\u2019s Empowerment<\/strong> category, Defne Women\u2019s Cooperative<\/strong> was honored for the production network and culture of solidarity they established following the earthquake. On behalf of the cooperative, Nesrin Deli<\/strong> received the award from \u015eeng\u00fcl Ak\u00e7ar<\/strong>, President of the Foundation for the Support of Women\u2019s Work (KEDV).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Social Innovation<\/strong> category, awards were presented to Pelin Baykan<\/strong> (Anlatan Eller), who has made sign language a native language of accessibility, and Yasemin Kire\u00e7<\/strong> (Anadolu Meralar\u0131), who has developed nature-compatible agricultural models. They received their awards from Zehra \u00d6ney<\/strong>, President of the Women in Technology Association, and Faruk Eczac\u0131ba\u015f\u0131<\/strong>, Vice Chairman of Eczac\u0131ba\u015f\u0131 Holding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Combating Inequality<\/strong> category, Hacer Foggo<\/strong> (Deep Poverty Network) was awarded for her persistent efforts to make urban poverty visible. She received her award from Emine Erdem<\/strong>, President of the Federation of Sectoral Associations (SEDEFED).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Environmental Sustainability<\/strong> category, Nejla I\u015f\u0131k<\/strong> was honored for her determined advocacy in defending the Akbelen Forest in Mu\u011fla and bringing the issue to national attention. She received her award from Altan Ert\u00fcrk<\/strong>, President of T\u00dcSES (Foundation for Social, Economic and Political Research of Turkiye).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Social Cohesion<\/strong> category, Delal Dink<\/strong> (Hrant Dink Foundation) was recognized for her work promoting coexistence among differences. On behalf of Delal Dink, Sibel Asna<\/strong>, a board member of the Hrant Dink Foundation, received the award from Se\u00e7kin Karata\u015f<\/strong>, General Manager of the Community Volunteers Foundation (TOG).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Reconstruction and Livelihoods in Earthquake Zone<\/strong> category, Sema Genel Karaosmano\u011flu<\/strong> (Support to Life Association) was honored for developing sustainable solutions during times of crisis. She received her award from Hans\u0131n Do\u011fan<\/strong>, UNDP Turkiye\u2019s Portfolio Manager of Private Sector and Strategic Partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Special Award for Reconstruction<\/strong> was presented to M\u00fcge Ayd\u0131n<\/strong> (Arsuz Women\u2019s Cooperative), who has built a new life in Hatay through the labor and solidarity of women. She received her award from Hande Tibuk<\/strong>, President of T\u0130DER (Basic Needs Association).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also in the same category, Yousra Khamis<\/strong> (Bilsan At\u00f6lye), a Syrian migrant who settled in Turkiye and created a hopeful production model, was awarded. She expressed her gratitude to \u0130NGEV through a video message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Rights-Based Work<\/strong> category, Ru\u015fen Y\u00fccesoylu Karakaya<\/strong>, the pioneer of the \u0130S\u0130AS Justice Vigil, was honored for her determined pursuit of justice. She received her award from NOW Primetime News Anchorman Sel\u00e7uk Tepeli<\/strong>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Inclusivity<\/strong> category, two awards were presented: one to lawyer Sedef Erken<\/strong> (Istanbul Autism Volunteers Association) for her advocacy for the rights of individuals with autism, and the other to the team behind the TV series “K\u0131z\u0131l Goncalar”<\/strong> (Esma Y\u0131lmaz, Mina Demirta\u015f, \u015e\u00fckr\u00fc Necati \u015eahin), recognized for its portrayal of societal polarization. Sedef Erken<\/strong>, together with her son Ozan<\/strong>, received the award from Esra Bezircio\u011flu<\/strong>, President of KAG\u0130DER (Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkiye).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Prof. Fuat Keyman Lifetime Achievement Award<\/strong> was given to \u00d6mer Madra<\/strong>, a pioneering voice in Turkiye known for his broadcasting based on human rights, climate awareness, and conscience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Testament to Collective Conscience for Human Development<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The ActHuman Human Development Awards aim to increase the visibility of individuals and organizations contributing to human development in Turkiye, support the dissemination of good practices, and raise social awareness in these areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In his speech, \u0130NGEV President Vural \u00c7ak\u0131r<\/strong> stated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe ActHuman Awards are not a gesture of gratitude, but a form of testimony. These stories from all over Turkiye show us that human development is not measured solely by numbers, but by the lives touched, by tireless efforts, by courage, and by hope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Journey That Will Continue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n ActHuman will continue in the years to come to support and give visibility to individuals and organizations that contribute to human development. These awards, which shed light on Turkiye\u2019s human development journey, also serve as a collective call of conscience for a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n