Contestants from several countries gathered in Dublin for a multicultural pageant that combined cultural celebration with an educational message about drug prevention.
Held at the Church of Scientology & Community Centre in Dublin, the gathering featured 24 contestants from seven different nations and an audience of about 450 people.
Organised by Miss & Mrs Cross Continent Events Ltd. and sponsored by Broccoli Care Ltd., the programme was developed in collaboration with news eu settlement scheme The Truth About Drugs Ireland.
Before taking part in the stage programme, contestants and visitors toured a Truth About Drugs exhibition and learned about the effects of commonly abused substances. Many of the contestants studied Truth About Drugs materials in advance, and several completed the full series of fourteen online courses.
In his address, Mayor Francis Timmons noted that education and positive leadership can help create healthier and more united communities.
Guests enjoyed performances representing Irish, Indian and Indonesian traditions throughout the afternoon.
Software engineer Niveditha Vudayagiri received the Miss Cross Continent 2026 title at the conclusion of the programme. Fortunate Lindokuhle Masina and Yuki Yuliatin completed the top three as first and second runners-up.
The pageant showed that public events can celebrate talent and diversity while also addressing important social concerns. The complete story can be read in this report about the multicultural pageant combining cultural celebration with drug education.