Klopper is new to the YMCA, yet brings along extensive experience in working with children and young people. Trained as a primary school teacher he spent years enjoying teaching while paying special attention to youngsters running the risk of dropping out due to their excellence or challenges. Next, he gained 15 years’ experience as director of several Christian primary schools before he moved on to the sport of swimming. After working for several years as international water polo referee and project leader in several departments of the Royal Dutch Swimming Federation, he returns to the youth work.
At the YMCA, Klopper aspires to motivate youth to explore faith within the ecumenical character of the organisation. Camps and other youth work on the local and national level provide a great opportunity for this. "Nowadays, many meetings take place in social media. This provides opportunities, but also threats. There is too little interaction, and that is why I wholeheartedly support cultural, sportive and creative meetings between youth. Not only in their local realities, but also outside." says Klopper. Next to the interaction he sees plenty of other challenges. Such as educating socially responsible persons. "Stand up for others, and addressing, from a different belief, a world that is focussed on numbers and easily generalises in the mentioned settings. Society increasingly focusses on the individual and I want to support those challenging this and an organisation such as the YMCA can/should set an example." In addition, Klopper aims to continue working on raising the public profile of the YMCA in The Netherlands, increasing its membership, and shaping the organisation for the coming years.
This year YMCA of The Netherlands celebrates its 160th anniversary and therewith constitutes the oldest youth organisation in The Netherlands. The YMCA engages in local youth work throughout The Netherlands and during the summer, camps are organised for vulnerable young people in need of extra support to go on holidays. The YMCA works in over 120 countries across the world and reaches more than 45 million persons.