Post by Atsufumi Yokoi（横井篤文）

Gratitude. Legacy. Responsibility. Just before the start of the Zero Project Conference 2026 at the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) — a global gathering dedicated to disability inclusion and innovation — I received something far more meaningful than a gift. As a UNESCO Chair committed to advancing inclusive education and social transformation, the timing could not have been more symbolic. Mr. Martin Essl, Chairman of the Essl Foundation, personally wrote a message of appreciation to me — by hand — in a notebook produced by the Essl Foundation itself. In a digital world flooded with instant messages and fleeting acknowledgments, a handwritten note carries a different weight. It reflects intention. Presence. Humanity. Inside the notebook, he wrote: “May this notebook be your faithful companion during the #ZeroCon26 & capture some valuable inspirations from your trip to Austria.” Those words are more than encouragement. They are a reminder of responsibility — to think deeply, to act purposefully, and to transform inspiration into impact. The Essl Foundation has long championed social innovation, inclusion, and entrepreneurial responsibility. To receive personal encouragement from its Chairman, at a moment when global leaders convene to advance disability inclusion, is both humbling and profoundly motivating. This notebook will not simply hold notes. It will hold ideas that aim to bridge cultures, create value, and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society. Thank you, Mr. Martin Essl, for the trust and encouragement. I carry it forward — with action.