In this episode of The Protégé Podcast, host Naomi Neilson is joined by Australian National University penultimate-year Bachelor of International Security Studies/Laws (Hons) student and ACSS director Gemma Dabkowski to discuss the success of the summit’s first year and what’s new for delegates in its second year.

Those who were invited will get to participate in three realistic and intense full-scale national security crisis simulations. Everything, from the scenarios through to the very lifelike newsroom, is designed to prepare the delegates for everything they will need to know to manage complex, interdisciplinary national security challenges in future.

During the episode, Gemma shares how she and her team connected with leaders in the national security space and invited them to come on board. She also talks listeners through the experience of setting up the summit, leading a major team, and managing several different parts and many different students to get it off the ground.

Much like last years’ event, this year’s was impacted by the COVID-19 lockdowns. Gemma discusses how she and her team were not only able to pivot the summit into a virtual event, but how much more they were able to include because of it.

Have a listen below!