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Pasta and Pistols: The Sicilian Mafia, 1865

Background Guide coming soon!


Buongiorno Delegates!

As dawn breaks over the Sicilian hills, the shadows of Palermo stir with whispers of power, betrayal, and ambition. You, the esteemed members of Cosa Nostra’s inner circle, are here to navigate the treacherous waters of crime, loyalty, and influence. The year is 1865, a time of shifting power within the mafia. In this world, every glance holds a secret, every handshake seals a deal, and every smile hides a dagger. Your decisions will shape the future of the mafia empire, and nothing is as it seems. Expect a journey filled with clandestine meetings, high-stakes negotiations, and unexpected twists.

Just when you think you’ve secured your position, an unforeseen turn will challenge your wit and resolve. In the shadows, power struggles brew, and reputations are always at stake. The law enforcement’s grip tightens, and amidst this chaos, only the cunning will survive. Every move must be meticulously planned, every word carefully chosen. The consequences are as unpredictable as they are severe. Let us embark on this extraordinary journey together, where the stakes are high and the outcomes uncertain. A Presto!

Each participant will assume the role of a high-ranking mafia member, each with their own ambitions, loyalties, and secrets. The committee is tasked with reestablishing control, managing alliances, and securing the mafia’s future. Key decisions must be made about whether to escalate the conflict, seek peace with rivals, or forge new alliances with international criminal networks. As government forces close in and public opinion sways, every move could mean the difference between maintaining the empire or seeing it crumble.





Dylan Nokleby

Chair

Hi! My name is Dylan Nokleby (he/him), I'm a junior here at UC Berkeley and will be the chair (basically the mega don) for our Mafia-based committee! I grew up as an expat kid--living in Australia, Scotland, Singapore, and the States--before ending up here in sunny California. Outside of MUN, I am an avid sports fan but I also love food, music, and travel. My other involvements on campus include playing for the Cal Men's Club Soccer team and being a member of a consulting club here at Berkeley. Although I normally compete on the more GA side of things, I am a big believer that collegiate MUN is too repetitive from an ROP perspective and want to bring some of the "need for change" energy to the crisis cabinets. Jasmine and I have plenty of fun twists and turns planned out for our time together, so act like a true Italian gangster and just run with it. I can't wait to see everyone in February for UCBMUN XXIX!

Best,
Dylan Nokleby
Chair, Pasta and Pistols: The Sicilian Mafia, 1865


Jasmine Mah

Crisis Director

My name is Jasmine Mah and I am so excited to be the Crisis Director of the Italian Mafia committee! I am a senior at UC Berkeley studying sociology and public health. I am born and raised in San Francisco and I have been doing MUN for 4 years now. My favorite types of committees are those filled with backstabbing, secrets, scandals, and crime, some may argue that this is all committees, but that is what makes our committee so fitting. As your Crisis Director, my goals is to keep you on edge, and I am so excited to take you through the world of La Cosa Nostra!

Best,
Jasmine Mah
Crisis Director, Pasta and Pistols: The Sicilian Mafia, 1865