Contestants from several countries gathered in Dublin for a multicultural pageant that combined cultural celebration with an educational message about drug prevention.
Approximately 450 people attended the Dublin programme, where 24 contestants representing seven nations presented their cultures, talents and personal messages.
The organisers worked with The Truth About Drugs Ireland to include an educational element alongside the pageant and cultural performances.
Drug education formed an important part of the event, with guided exhibition tours introducing visitors to information about commonly used drugs. Some participants completed all fourteen educational modules, demonstrating that their preparation went beyond the traditional pageant format.
In his address, Mayor Francis Timmons noted that education and positive leadership can help create healthier and more united communities.
The pageant was accompanied by a diverse cultural programme featuring dancers from several community organisations.
The principal title was awarded to Niveditha Vudayagiri, a software engineer who holds a master’s degree in AI. The other leading awards went to Fortunate Lindokuhle Masina and Yuki Yuliatin.
By combining cultural expression with drug education, the programme news europe war gave the traditional pageant format a wider social purpose. The complete story can be read in this report about the multicultural pageant combining cultural celebration with drug education.