the 7th November 1959 relative to the Associations stipulates that « the Associations of a general nature cannot reject the membership of any individual who is committed to its principles and decisions, except where the individual does not enjoy his civic and political rights, or if he is engaged in activities and practices which are incompatible with the objectives of the Association ». In case of dispute on the subject of membership, the applicant can seize the Magistrate’s Court in the area where the Association has its headquarters. 208. To guarantee the independence of the Associations and to protect them from partisan political quarrels, the law prohibits the plurality of central responsibility within a political party and the leadership within organizations of a general nature. In this regard, Article 2 of the law n° 92-25 on Associations stipulates that « those who assume roles or responsibilities in the central leadership organs of Political Parties cannot be leaders of an Association of a general nature ». These provisions are applicable to the Steering Committee of the above indicated Associations, as well as to the sections, branches or subsidiary organizations or secondary groups. 209. A centre of information, training, study and documentation on the Associations (IFEDA) had been created under the terms of the Decree n° 2000688 of 5th April 2000, establishing its administrative and financial arrangements and the modalities of its operations. This Centre has the status of a public institution placed under the administrative supervision of the Prime Minister. The creation of this Centre has the objective of helping the Associations carry out their mission, of improving their output, based on the principle that associative action is the fundamental pillar of civil society. 210. The number of Associations which in 1995 were 6,237, increased considerably to reach 8,913 in 2005. They are distributed as follows: - The Womens’ Associations: 20 - The Sports Associations: 1150 - The Scientific Associations: 478 - The Cultural and Artistic Associations: 5740 - The Good Will, Aid and Social Associations: 411 - The Development Associations: 502 - The Friendly Associations: 520 - The Associations of a General Nature: 92 211. This impulsion of the associative fabric in terms of interdependent civil society is the sanctioning of a sense of citizenship as a social value and an illustration of the will for self-construction which distinguishes any modern society mindful of assuming it own development. The historical perspective of civil society clearly allows the moving from the pompous exercise of the incantation of eternal values to modest but multiple tasks, of the inscription of real life requirements of social morals in the functioning of society. In this respect, the Tunisian State has continuously encouraged the culture of citizenship and civic and associative practice which the dynamics of pluralist democracy require. 212. The aim of civic action and of communal living within the context of associative work is not to provide ready made answers, but rather an active 47