The first Miss & Mrs Cross Continent event in Dublin showed how a pageant can combine cultural diversity, leadership and practical community education.
Twenty-four women from seven countries participated in the programme, which was attended by approximately 450 guests at the Church of Scientology & Community Centre.
The pageant was organised by Miss & Mrs Cross Continent Events Ltd., with support from Broccoli Care Ltd. and cooperation from The Truth About Drugs Ireland.
Participants were invited to explore educational materials explaining the risks and effects associated with drug abuse. Contestants were encouraged to prepare by studying drug-prevention materials, and a number of them completed every available online course.
In his address, Mayor Francis Timmons noted that education and positive leadership can help create healthier and more united communities.
The afternoon also included Irish, Indian and Indonesian dance performances, reflecting the international character of the gathering.
The principal title was awarded to Niveditha Vudayagiri, a software engineer who holds a master’s degree in AI. Fortunate Lindokuhle Masina and Yuki Yuliatin completed the top three as first and second news eu gipfel runners-up.
By combining cultural expression with drug education, the programme gave the traditional pageant format a wider social purpose. A fuller report on the Dublin multicultural pageant and drug-education initiative provides additional details about the contestants, performances and educational programme.