The Art of Moderating
How to create an inspiring setting for a discussion? How to engage audiences from different backgrounds? How to pleasantly interrupt overexcited speakers? These kind of questions are at the hart of meaningful moderation. A skill that can be beneficial for all who want to improve public discussions, political and participatory cultures, workplaces, or local communities. And a skill that can be learned.
During the past twelve years of training and coaching moderators and organisers we have developed three specific courses (see below). These courses are a pleasant mix of group exercises, individual feedback, tips & tricks, and some theory. The length can be between one and three days, depending on the available time. We work best in groups of seven to twelve people.
As a participant you will receive:
- An intake to discuss your personal learning goals
- A handout with course materials
- A Copy of my booklet ‘On the Art of Moderating’
- Afterwards one coaching session of 1.5 hours
Get in touch for more information and bookings.
Order your copy of ‘On the Art of Moderating’.
![](https://www.bartcosijn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/On-the-Art-of-Moderating_Bart-Cosijn.jpg)
The Event Circle
At the basis of courses that we teach is a model that we call The Event Circle. It consist of three sequential steps which are all important to create succes:
- Programming: Why is this event (debate, dialogue, conference, etc.) organised? What is the central question or theme? Who should participate and why?
- Formatting: Which discussion-format fits the goal best? How should roles best be divided? What kind of moderation or facilitation is needed?
- Moderating: How realise the most fruitful interaction? How to bring all the necessary viewpoints to the table? Who owns the conclusions and why?
![](https://www.bartcosijn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/the-event-circle-bw.jpg)
Courses
Course 1
Moderation and Facilitation (I)
Beginners level; focus on all crucial aspects of moderation
You will learn about:
- Preparing for an event and your role
- Creating a welcoming setting
- Directing content and form
- Listening, summarising, questioning
- Engaging audiences
- Helping and intervening
- Using space, light and sound
Course 2
Moderation and Facilitation (II)
Advanced level; focus on interaction and engagement
You will learn about:
- Making interactive openings
- Deepening the discussions
- Improving timing and interventions
- Switching between different roles
- Reading group-dynamics
- Dealing with (hidden) tensions
- Developing a personal style
Course 3
Organising Public Discussions and Debates
All levels; focus on all three steps of The Event Circle
You will learn about:
- Defining what is at stake
- Framing central issue(s)
- Choosing interaction formats
- Sufficient engaging of participants
- Recruiting and preparing speakers
- Selecting and instructing moderator(s)
- Preparing the venue and setting
![](https://www.bartcosijn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/training-in-japan.jpg)