The Australian Crisis Simulation Summit (ACSS) is a national student-run and led, volunteer organisation headquartered at the Australian National University (ANU). The ACSS creates complex crisis simulations that aim to challenge the next generation of Australian National Security leaders.
For the past five years, the Australian Crisis Simulation Summit has provided the opportunity for over 200 students to not only participate in immersive and challenging crisis simulations but also to foster invaluable connections between themselves, industry professionals, academics, and employers.
The ACSS was founded in 2020 as an innovative student-led initiative generously supported by the ANU and its academics. In 2024, we aim to build upon the success of the past four Summits and establish the ACSS as Australia’s leading student-led national security conference for years to come.
In 2024, the Summit will be held between the 2nd and 4th of September.
Summit Week 2024 will include panel discussions, interviews with industry and academic professionals, networking opportunities, our two full-day crisis simulations, and more!
Our crisis simulations are the culmination of months of effort from our team. As stated, the ACSS endeavours to create complex, realistic simulations that prepare future national security leaders. We simulate a whole of government operation in which delegates are assigned to different departments and work across managing crises in relation to their respective jurisdictions.
Delegates participate in the simulations through purpose-built software, navigating news articles, social media, and a constant news live-stream (our Summit Broadcasting Corporation, or SBC).
Our major aim for this year’s summit is the overarching goal of the ACSS – to foster the next generation of national security leaders. For five years now, we’ve done this by providing opportunities for emerging students to be introduced to mentors and learn how to excel in the industry. We’ve also helped equip them with indispensable critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills, which they’ve developed throughout the course of pre-summit activities and preparation, workshops in summit week, and during the actual simulations.
Each year we are lucky enough to have witnessed the emergence of competent, compassionate and courageous leadership among the next generation of Australian National Security Leaders. By bringing these students together we can foster this development by creating a dynamic forum for these young individuals who are passionate about national security, to learn, and develop key skills and connections to thrive in this industry.