2012 International Foundation of the Law of the Sea – Week 4

By Will Russell, Legal Research Intern at WWF-Canada
Following the closing ceremony at the beautiful Hamburg Rathaus (City Hall), my fellow classmates began their long journeys back to their respective countries. I have never had an opportunity to work and study with such a superb group of lawyers and academics from across the globe, to debate and share our ideas about contemporary marine issues.

Prior to arriving at the IFLOS Summer Academy, I had a good grasp on the fundamentals of Law of the Sea and maritime law. However, these past four weeks have exposed me to the nuances of these fields of law, unveiling the complexities, not only with regards to the legal machinations involved, but also the political and financial underpinnings which help shape how the global oceans are governed. Having a clear understanding of the range of interests involved is key to developing effective means of protecting our ocean resources, not only for our use, but for the use of future generations. The realities of international relations can at times present a seemingly insurmountable hurdle, but as UNCLOS demonstrates, measures can be taken to provide for global cooperation on common issues.
Moving forward, I am going to enjoy the final few weeks of summer before returning to my studies in September. I would like to thank WWF Canada for helping make the 2012 IFLOS Summer Academy a reality for me. Though numerous significant issues remain to be addressed with regards to the protection of the world’s oceans and their resources, witnessing first-hand the work being done in every corner of the globe to resolve these issues is enough to give one hope.
THANKS WWF!