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.