Annual Report 2011–2012 One of the strengths of the APF is the quality and depth of collaboration that exists between members. The APF’s annual meetings, professional networks and staff placement programs each provide opportunities to deepen those links, share experiences and develop cooperative programs of work. In 2011–12 the APF’s communications and cooperation activities continued to support very high levels of member engagement. 2.1 Members’ engagement with the APF Evaluation findings Outcome indicator: Engagement Performance rating: On track The APF benefits from the expertise, knowledge and support that member institutions contribute to the organisation through participating on the Forum Council and at APF annual meetings. In turn, member institutions benefit from the cooperative relationships established through the APF’s programs and services. Although engagement is difficult to quantify, members’ active participation in annual meetings provides some indication. At the 16th Annual Meeting in 2011, all members contributed oral interventions or written submissions. The increase in members’ participation in annual meetings over the years reflects the successful improvement of meeting processes. The members’ views on the relevance of training and communications services, the value of APF participation in United Nations (UN) processes to members and on the utility of APF advice provides further indication of their engagement. In 2011–12 a composite index of members’ views in these areas showed a rating of 4.5 out of 5 – a small increase of four percent on the previous year. (Note that this index has been modified from that published in 2010 and 2011 in response to a review of indicators in 2012). The separate data contributing to the very high rating shown on the member engagement index is discussed in more detail in the relevant section of this report (Training, Communications, Cooperation, Advice and Advocacy). The relative contribution of these aspects to the index is shown in Figure 4. The only aspect that declined from last year was participation in UN processes, which declined from the very high rating last year, a rating that reflected the APF’s key role in influencing the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions (ICC) and the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in 2011. Figure 4: Comparative members rating of APF services 2010–2012 (averages of median member rating) Average value of APF participation in UN processes 2010 Average relevance of APF communications 2012 2011 Average value of networking events Average usefulness of advice Average relevance of APF training 0 1 2 3 4 5 2. Enhance members’ communication, cooperation and engagement | 21