Klaus and Eva Herlitz

[5] For outstanding social engagement Eva and Klaus Herlitz received the Bundesverdienstkreuz (Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany) medal on 17 January 2019.

One important prerequisite for this international unifying project is to choose artists from the individual countries - for the circle to reflect the diversity of the cultures of "one world".

The circle - representing The Art of Tolerance with its symbolism of love, peace, freedom and friendship - has been presented on all five continents in over 35 metropolises of this world - always in the very heart of the cities.

The bears have been displayed at the following Stations since the beginning of the tour in 2002: Berlin (Germany), Kitzbuehel (Austria), Hong Kong, Istanbul (Turkey), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (South Korea), Sydney (Australia), Vienna (Austria), Cairo (Egypt), Jerusalem[8][9] (Israel), Warsaw (Poland), Stuttgart (Germany), Pyongyang (North Korea), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Montevideo (Uruguay), Astana (Kazakhstan), Helsinki (Finland), Sofia (Bulgaria), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), New Delhi (India), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Paris (France), Rio de Janeiro[10] (Brazil), Havana[11][12] (Cuba), Santiago de Chile (Chile), Riga (Latvia), Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala City, Ljubljana[13] (Slovenia).

As soon as a country decides to commission a new Buddy Bear, the predecessor is sold at an auction in aid of UNICEF or other child relief organizations all over the world.