NEGRIL, Westmoreland — The United Nations International Pageant recently crowned five ambassadors who will represent their communities in their quest to help the less fortunate.

The pageant held at the Seawind Resort in Negril, focused less on outward beauty and more on persons expressing a desire to effect positive change in the world.

Executive Director for the United Nations International Pageant Aspi Wadivalla told Observer West that once a contestant is crowned, she gets the support from the United Nations to serve her community in an area that she is passionate about.

The competition featured contestants from approximately 10 countries including Jamaica. Organisers say the event attracts women with an extensive background in volunteering and service to their communities.

The United Nations held its first International Pageant in 2008. All the international pageants have been staged in Jamaica.

General Manager for Seawind Resort and one of the judges for the pageant Wendy Gavin says the United Nations pageant helps provide a platform for global change.