In 2002, the United Buddy Bears project was set in motion to help
promote peace and harmony among nations. The idea behind the project was to
create a collection of Buddy Bears – each representing a United Nations member
country – and put them on display for the entire world to see. The sculptures were created by a team of
artists from various countries around the world. The bears are posed with their
hands up in the air and placed side by side as if they were holding hands. This
exhibit has toured around the world and has inspired many people to work
towards achieving peace around the world.
World peace is not the only advocacy of the group. As part of this
project, the people behind United Buddy Bears also sell smaller versions of
these adorable works of art to raise money to help children in need. Among the
many beneficiaries of their fund raising activities is the United Nations
Children’s Fund and local relief operations in several countries around the
world. Like many funds intended for charitable purposes, bureaucracy and red
tape prevented help from getting to its beneficiaries on time. United Buddy
Bears realized the tremendous impact these delays have in helping children in
need of surgery and other forms of emergency help. This is why in 2004, the
organization’s charitable arm – Buddy
Bear Help – was formed in order to streamline help and relief operations
for children in each of the United Buddy Bear’s home countries.
Buddy Bear Help operates under the principle of “Every cent for the
children.” Members of the organization shoulder all necessary administrative
and organizational costs and expenses, leaving the funds earmarked for
charitable projects untouched. This means all the money they raise through
Buddy Bear auctions and donations go directly to the projects being
implemented.
