Our Fifth Summer Academy

The fifth IFLOS Summer Academy at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea took place from 24 July to 20 August, 2011 and focused once again on the "Uses and Protection of the Sea - Legal, Economic and Natural Science Perspectives" while maintaining our banner for this and future events, namely "Promoting Ocean Governance and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes".

Participants

The Foundation welcomed 29 participants from 24 different countries from around the world. With nationals from 8 countries not having been represented at the Summer Academy before, our "Global Reach" increased to 74 nations. Seven of the attendees were selected by the Tribunal within the framework of the NIPPON Program; 22 were chosen by the Foundation in close cooperation with the Tribunal. The number of applications rose significantly against last year and the Foundation took note of a sustained high degree of academic qualification and professional achievements amongst the applicants. The Foundation's sponsors (Edmund Siemers-Stiftung, German Federal Environment Agency, German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development, Ince & Co. International Law Firm, Lebuhn & Puchta, and Zeit-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius) made it possible to award 7 scholarships and 2 travel grants. Given the fact that The Nippon Foundation enabled 7 other participants to take part in the course, 14 young academicians, with one exception from developing countries, i.e. about half of the participants, attended the Academy under scholarships.

Schedule

As its predecessors, the 2011 Academy covered a variety of Law of the Sea, Maritime Law and related topics and dealt extensively with specific subjects of interest such as marine environmental protection, climate change and the oceans, oil pollution and its consequences, as well as ship-building and vessel-financing. As before, a visit to the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law in Hamburg was part of the programme, followed by a reception of our partner institution. Based on the experience from previous Summer Academies, the schedule maintained the distinguishable block on Maritime Delimitation, where the traditional practical workshop with a prelude of mineral and petroleum resources topics was followed by the legal and political solutions. A copy of the Schedule is attached.

Faculty

During the four weeks of the program, the participants had the opportunity to meet an impressive faculty composed of over 30 renowned personalities who travelled to Hamburg from many different corners of the world to share their expertise and experience with the participants on a pro bono basis. The Foundation is especially grateful for the invaluable contributions by the members of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, namely Vice President Helmut Türk, Judges Tullio Treves, Tafsir Ndiaye, Vladimir Golitsyn, Jin-Hyun Paik and Judge-elect David Attard. Many members of the faculties 2007 to 2010 - legal and economic experts, natural scientists and experienced practitioners in maritime affairs - could be attracted to return to Hamburg. A copy of the List of Lecturers is attached.

Open Event - Guest Lecture

Once again, the Foundation chose a topical theme for the traditional guest lecture, namely "Global Trade & Environmental Protection - the Irreplaceable Role of International Shipping" and succeeded to win Peter Hinchliffe, OBE (Secretary General, International Chamber of Shipping / ICS and International Shipping Federation / ISF) to present. The session in the Courtroom of the Tribunal was well attended.

Moot Court

Four teams competed in the Moot Court Tournament held in the Court Room of the Tribunal and gave an impressive performance. Although there was not much time to prepare the memorials and the hearings, the participants came up with well-prepared arguments and sharp answers to the questions put to them by the moot court bench consisting of Vice President Helmut Türk from the Tribunal (presiding), Professors Doris König and Alexander Prölß as well as Attorney-at Law Christoph Hasche. As before, the moot court judges chose a winning Team and awarded a special recognition for oral argumentation.

Resolution

A group of 7 participants drafted a Final Resolution on the results of the Summer Academy, highlighting the achievements of the previous Summer Academies and giving valuable proposals for possible future improvements; copies of both versions in English and French are attached.

Extra-curricular Activities

Although the schedule was tight, there was some time reserved for extra-curricular activities. The participants had the opportunity to do some sight-seeing in Hamburg and its vicinity during a very informative bus tour as well as a boat tour through the port, they went to the medieval city of Lübeck and made a stop at the beach of Timmendorfer Strand. Furthermore, the participants visited the Blohm & Voss shipyard across the river. Once again, the Foundation managed to organise an excursion to Berlin, with a visit to the Reichstag.

There were also various social functions; Haus Rissen and Bucerius Law School both invited the Class of 2011 for barbeques, Ince & Co hosted an evening at a typical Hamburg sailor's pub and Frank Leonhardt a reception at the premises of Leonhardt & Blumberg.

Senate Reception

At the close of the Summer Academy, the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg held an impressive reception in the Town Hall, hosted by Staatsrat Dr. Ralf Kleindiek, where the participants received their certificates.

A Growing Network

Although the participants came from very diverse legal and cultural backgrounds they got along with each other very well and formed a very active and interested group. With their help, the Foundation will try to keep track of all of them to further facilitate networking and add to the Alumni circle founded by the Class of 2007. The feedback given by the participants was in every sense overwhelmingly positive, especially concerning the consistency of the group and the quality of the lectures delivered.

Thank You

Finally, the Foundation would like to wholeheartedly thank President Jesus, the Registrar Prof. Gautier, the Deputy-Registrar Mr. Kim and all the staff members of the Tribunal who have supported the team of the Foundation so well before and during the course of the Summer Academy.

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After the Summer Academy is before the Summer Academy