Rogier studied Public Administration at Utrecht University. He also served as the Dutch Youth Representative for European Affairs, won an award at Harvard Model United Nations, worked as a project leader for Rotterdam European Youth Capital, and held a communications role in the Dutch House of Representatives, where he also worked on educational programs.
However, he proved too creative for academia, too resistant to authority for the civil service, and too unconvinced of his own infallibility for politics. As a debate facilitator, these are precisely his strengths. At the Netherlands Debate Institute, he learned the tricks of the trade: systematic preparation, a toolbox full of concepts and a wealth of techniques.
Rogier Elshout as a Moderator
Rogier is a professional moderator who works with you to set concrete objectives, develop creative concepts and engage your target audience with enthusiasm. He combines a light-hearted style with thorough preparation and depth, bringing dry subject matter to life and reducing complex discussions to their core. Bold, but always with style. Challenging conventions has never been so much fun, conferences have never been so productive, and the conversations are guaranteed to continue long after the event!
Debate Facilitator
His energy keeps debates moving at full speed, while his enthusiasm, humour and charm ensure everyone gets involved. Through his summaries and incisive questions, he keeps everyone engaged. Much of his added value comes during the preparation stage: he helps clients clearly define their objectives and develop programmes that head straight for the goal, preferably by challenging established conventions along the way.
Thanks to his experience and expertise, he knows how to achieve those objectives. His strength lies in imagination: he helps people visualise different concepts, enabling them to make the right choice.
From Concept to Execution
Much of Rogier's added value lies in the preparation stage. He helps you define your objectives clearly. The crucial question he always asks is: “What should be different the day after the debate or conference compared to the day before?” Rogier helps your organization, content and speakers shine, maximizing the results you achieve against your objectives.
Regardless of the theme, target audience or number of participants, Rogier knows how to develop a program for any debate or conference that delivers maximum return on investment and is always interactive, ensuring everyone participates. Events can be held live, online or in a hybrid format. Rogier can present promotional films, aftermovies and reports, provide audience interaction tools and advise on promotion.
A Chameleon
Rogier has extensive knowledge of mobility, the energy transition, housing, healthcare and education, but he also enjoys exploring highly specialised and unusual topics. Whether it is a corporate event, public debate, journalistic talk show, election debate or awards ceremony, Rogier adapts his tone, format and energy to suit the event.
Europe and the World
In addition to his work in the Netherlands, Rogier leads a collective of moderators focused on the EU bubble and regularly works in Brussels and at international conferences throughout Europe. This makes him an ideal choice for your international conference or an event designed to bring Europe to life within your organization.
He also works in Uganda almost every year. In addition, he provides training in presentation skills, debating, debate facilitation and negotiation. He is also available for workshops, which can be combined with debate facilitation. His workshops are light-hearted, highly interactive and immediately applicable in practice.
