South Africa AWEPAA undertook many fact-finding missions and regularly liaised with the leaders of UN-recognised liberation movements. Several leading personalities like Archbishop Desmond Tutu were invited to European capitals to speak with parliamentarians and others. 

AWEPAA mostly addressed its natural allies and opponents, i.e. fellow parliamentarians and governments. An exception was made in 1989 when South Africa´s international financial situation was jeopardized due to its debt. 

In addition to calling for parliamentary and government action, AWEPAA appealed on the main banks involved to refrain from pardoning debts and loaning money to South Africa. In 1984 the 'Association of West-European Parliamentarians for Action against Apartheid' (AWEPAA) was founded by Dr. Jan Nico Scholten (NL), Hon. Donald Anderson (UK) and Treasurer Pär Granstedt (Sweden). This first Executive Committee's goal was to mobilise politicians in democratically elected European parliaments to end apartheid. The organisation grew quickly from a small group of members in 16 national parliaments and in the European Parliament in September 1985, to some 1000 members by the early 1990s. Parliamentarians passed laws that facilitated effective sanction policies, monitored the implementation of these laws by enforcing accountability. 

AWEPAA's involvement contributed to the elimination of apartheid and the occupation of Namibia. After the apartheid regime was overthrown in South Africa, AWEPAA shifted its focus. With advice from its African partners, AWEPAA focused more on promoting democracy, peace, human rights and democratic governance in many African regions. In 1993, AWEPAA was renamed 'The Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa' (AWEPA) and grew to some 1500 members.