This year, the last year before the 120th Anniversary of Oyasama, the Young Women's Convention is to be held not at the Home of the Parent but at 56 venues in local dioceses and districts including those overseas. Intended for the Women's Association's members between the ages of 16 and 25, the convention takes place once every two years--though until 2003 it used to be held once every three years. This year's convention will take place regionally for the first time in the hope that more members will attend if it is held in or near their local communities.

Women's Association President Harue Nakayama announced the plan to conduct the Young Women's Convention regionally during the 86th Women's Convention held in April last year. She said: "Aligning ourselves with the Shinbashira's desire to give Jiba a lively atmosphere throughout the year of the 120th Anniversary of Oyasama, we are hoping that a well-attended convention, held regionally during the year preceding that anniversary, will show the success of the young women's activities, the fruits of our daily efforts to nurture them, and the true sincerity of all involved."

In response to the announcement by the president, the Women's Association Headquarters decided that the convention be held between September and November at 56 venues including 6 in six overseas countries and regions where local chapters of the Women's Association have been organized--namely, the United States, Brazil, Hawaii, Taiwan, Mexico, and Colombia. In Japan all 47 dioceses will host the convention, 3 holding it twice. The directly supervised chapters and diocese chapters have begun preparations. The theme of the 24th convention is "In gratitude for our overflowing blessings, let's share our joy with smiling faces." This theme is designed to encourage the members to notice God the Parent's overflowing providence, feel gratitude for it, and impart the joy they feel not only to the members who belong to the same church but also to their friends at school and work.