Miss Venezuela crowned Miss World

Miss Venezuela, Ivian Sarcos, reacts after being crowned Miss World 2011 in Earls Court in west London today. Reuters/Paul Hackett

LONDON, (Reuters) – A human resources graduate from  Venezuela, whose ambition is to work with children, was crowned  Miss World 2011 at a glittering beauty pageant in London yesterday.

Ivian Sarcos

Ivian Sarcos, 21, took the ultimate beauty accolade at Earls  Court in London, the city where the first Miss World was staged  in 1951.

Outside the venue, a small feminist demonstration took  place, protesting at what they said was an “appalling offence  against women’s equality”.

The beauty contest was broadcast live to more than 150  countries and was watched by a billion viewers, organisers said.

The competition has drawn criticism in recent years for  being outdated and little more than a chance to look good in  swimwear.

But of the 122 contestants whom Sarcos beat, a quarter are  graduates and more than half speak three or more languages.

Miss Venezuela, Ivian Sarcos, reacts after being crowned Miss World 2011 in Earls Court in west London today. Reuters/Paul Hackett

Sarcos, who currently works for a broadcasting company, said  her future ambition was to work with non-governmental  organisations and children, according to the Miss World web  site.

She has already created her own foundation to help  youngsters.

Her hobbies include volleyball, mountaineering and  trekking.

One of 13 children, Sarcos said her proudest moment was  “when I did my Communion”.

Next year’s Miss World will be held in China’s Inner  Mongolia