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What is The IEMCC
The International Environmental Moot Court Competition (IEMCC) is the most prestigious international environmental law moot court competition in the world. It convenes annually at Stetson University near Tampa, Florida. Soongsil University’s College of Law is Stetson’s new partner in bringing the prestigious IEMCC to East Asia.
https://www.stetson.edu/law/international/iemcc/index.php
The IEMCC provides an excellent educational opportunity. Every year the IEMCC raises exciting international environmental law issues, bringing awareness and educational opportunities to law students around the world. This year’s competition focuses on sustainable development and the ecology of sea turtles. Students have the opportunity to perform legal research in international law, to write formal legal memorials, and to present adversarial oral arguments in competition.
Stetson and Soongsil are united in their hopes to improve access to learning and moot experiences by bringing the IEMCC to Seoul. They hope this new location in the heart of East Asia will make travel and other costs more affordable for students from East Asia. Soongsil and Stetson hope that by bringing students from all over East Asia together to discuss these important environmental legal issues that a partnership can be built for a future greener East Asia.
Soongsil University’s College of Law is also inviting professors of environmental law to come and share their research at a conference held during the East Asia Regional week of competition.
Competition of 2018-2019 (27 November ~ 1 Dec 2018)
“Use of the Sargasso Sea and the Protection of Eels”
The topic of 2018 IMECC is a legal dispute concerning “Use of the Sargasso Sea and the Protection of Eels”. The Federal States of Alliguna and the Republic of Revels are neighboring coastal sovereign states on a small continent, which is located in the North Atlantic Ocean near the Sargasso Sea. Alliguna is a developed country which is based heavily on manufacturing and energy, while Revels is a developing country which is based largely on fishing and agriculture. Sargasso Sea, which is a region of the North Atlantic Ocean, has an abundant amount of sargassum and is also the spawning ground of European eels. European eels is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and the population of species has declined over the past several decades. Especially, Alliguna has strict domestic legislation to help protect and recover the species because the eels feature prominently in Alliguna’s culture, religion, and history.
On the other hand, Revels provided subsidies to SEA Corporation which is a large privately owned company in Revels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand the use of renewable energy. The SEA Corporation’s latest biofuels initiative is to harvest Sargassum from the Sargasso Sea to use for biofuel production. Concerned about the potential negative impacts on European eels, Alliguna forwarded the diplomatic note to Revels. Inspite of the additional negotiations between Alliguna and Revels over the several months, they failed to resolve the dispute over the harvesting of Sargassum in the Sargasso Sea and its effects on European eels. Alliguna submitted an Application instituting proceedings against Revels, dated 21 April 2018, declaring that Revels violated international law by negatively impacting the European eel through the Sargassum harvesting project in the Sargasso Sea.
Competition of 2017-2018 (28 November ~ 2 Dec 2017)
“Responses to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Transboundary Wetland”
The theme of 2017 IMECC is “Responses to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Transboundary Wetland” . The Federal States of Aves and Republic of Renac share Adegure Marsh, a transboundary Wetland of International Importance. The blue-crowned crane winters in this wetland. The economy of both countries rely on ecotourism and agriculture, especially poultry production.
In 2014 and 2015, Highly Pathogenic Aviation Influenza breaks out in Aves and through Adeguri marsh the influenza is spread to Renac. In response to this crisis, Renac culls infected poultries and wild waterbirds including blue-crowned cranes despite objections from Aves. Furthermore, in view of urgent national interest, Renac also removes Adeguri Marsh from the list of Ramsar. Aves seeks an order from International Court of Justice declaring that culling of wild birds and removing Adeguri Marsh from the list of Ramsar Sites violate international law.
Competition of 2016-2017 (29 November ~ 3 Dec 2016)
“ Ocean Fertilization and Marine Biodiversity ”
The federal states of Aeolia and Republic of Rinnuco are located in Scheflutti continent. This continent is completely surrounded by the Muktuk Ocean and is located near Greenland in the Arctic Circle. Therefore, the federal states of Aeolia and Republic of Rinnuco have large fishing industries and Aeolia has a strong ecotourism sector.
On 21 November 2014, Rinnuco announced that they will progress the ocean fertilization project to stimulate the growth of phytoplankton blooms in Muktuk Ocean. Hence, Aeolia sent diplomatic documents that Rinnuco have to stop ocean fertilization project. However, Rinnuco carried out the plan, and finished the first phase. On 22 April 2015, nine dead narwhals were found off the coast of Rinnuco. Consequently, Aeolia submitted this matter to ICJ.
Competition of 2015-2016 (24~28 November 2015)
“Cultural Property and the Protection of Elephants”
The theme of 2015 IMECC is “Cultural Property and the Protection of Elephants” in questions relating to illegal ivory trade and the protection of Elephants. The Federal State of Aliya and the Republic of Rincossi are located in different continents, Thorno and Rabab. Thornon elephants, indigenous in Thorno play significant role in Aliyan culture. All trade of ivory is illegal in Aliya. Rincossi allows certain forms of ivory trades but nonetheless prohibits international trade of ivory.
In July 2014, Pam C. Cusi, an ambassador from Rincossi to Aliya, was caught with illegal ivory upon her return. The investigation led the discovery of the link between Cusi and a private group named Barnum Uritovski. In December, Rincossi confiscated illegal ivory from Barnum Uritovski. Aliya requested the prosecution of Cusi and 20members of Barnum Uritovski, but Rincossi rejected and didn’t arrest or prosecute. Aliya requested the return of the confiscated ivory. However Rincossi decided that it will destroy the illegal ivory. Aliya and Rincossi submitted the matter to ICJ.
Competition of 2014-2015 (25~29 November 2014)
“Shark Finning and Trade Restrictions”
The theme of 2014 IMECC is “Shark Finning and Trade Restrictions” which questions relating to protection of Mako Sharks and Trade Restrictions. Both Alopias and Rhincodon have located in the Varium sea region. The Mako sharks inhabit in that area and they are mainly found in the territorial sea and EEZ of those two countries. On august 30, 2012 the government of Rhincodon sent the diplomatic document to the government of Alopias as follows. Because of legitimate shark fishing in Alopians, the large numbers of sharks have been sacrificed and this has caused ethical problems such as Finning so it requires for a revision of that law. However, Alopias Congress rejected this requirement by referring to its economic development and budget problem. After many times of adjustment were failed, eventually the two countries have left this matter to ICJ(International Court of Justice) to mediate this problem on June 16, 2014. Participant will represent each countries regarding of this issue.
Competition of 2013-2014 (19~23 November 2013)
“Sea Turtle Protection and Cultural Practices”
The theme of the 2013 IEMCC is “Sea Turtle Protection and Cultural Practices” which is questions relating to the protection of Sea Turtles and cultural differences between Federal state of Aterac and republic of Redonda. Republic of Redonda has the habitat of Sea Turtles which are in crisis of extinction. This Sea Turtles spends its life coming in and out of Federal state of Aterac which is an adjoining country. Maroon which is the minority race of Republic of Redonda hunted the Sea Turtles continuously for the part of the coming-of-age ceremony. The participants of the protecting endangered Sea Turtles and protecting the countries culture competition will represent. Participant will represent each countries regarding of the issue. East Asian Regional Rounds 2012-2013 of the Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition.
Competition of 2012-2013 (27 November ~ 1 December 2012)
“Transboundary Haze and Species Protection”
The theme of 2012 IMECC is “Transboundary Haze and Species Protection” which questions relating to protection of Transboundary Haze and Species Protection.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
