the Web Editors

In advance of two days of meetings with G8 leaders at Camp David this weekend, on Friday morning, President Obama spoke to a gathering of international political and NGO leaders and activists in Washington, D.C. at the Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security.

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you so much.  (Applause.)  Thank you, everybody.  Please have a seat.  Thank you.  Well, good morning, everybody.  Thank you, Catherine Bertini, and Dan Glickman and everyone at the Chicago Council.  We were originally going to convene, along with the G8, in Chicago.  But since we’re not doing this in my hometown, I wanted to bring a little bit of Chicago to Washington.  (Laughter.)  It is wonderful to see all of you.  It is great to see quite a few young people here as well.  And I want to acknowledge a good friend.  We were just talking backstage -- he was my inspiration for singing at the Apollo -- (laughter) -- Bono is here, and it is good to see him.  (Applause.)

Now, this weekend at the G8, we’ll be represented by many of the world's largest economies.  We face urgent challenges -- creating jobs, addressing the situation in the eurozone, sustaining the global economic recovery.  But even as we deal with these issues, I felt it was also important, also critical to focus on the urgent challenge that confronts some 1 billion men, women and children around the world -- the injustice of chronic hunger; the need for long-term food security.

                                       WATCH PRESIDENT OBAMA AT 2:28:45

God, we pray today for all the children who have been burdened with HIV/AIDS, that you will give them better access to health care and medicine. We pray that you will give strength to their caregivers and love from their communities. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.

The Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security, Advancing Food and Nutrition Security at the 2012 G8 Summit, is set to begin soon with the following leaders in attendance:

• President Barack Obama 
• Dr. Yayi Boni, President of the Republic of Benin & Chairperson of the African Union
• Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia
• John Evans Atta Mills, President of Ghana
• His Excellency Jakaya Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania
• Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary, United States Department of State
• Rajiv Shah, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development
• Bono, Co-Founder of ONE and (RED)
• Ertharin Cousin, Executive Director, UN World Food Programme
• Dr. Kanayo F. Nwanze, President, International Fund for Agricultural Development
• Ms. Josette Sheeran, Vice Chairman, World Economic Forum

“He loved her because it was his nature to do so, but there were times when he could not endure her love for him. There were times when it became nothing but pure idiot mystery...” - Flannery O'Connor from Everything that Rises Must Converge

While James Hansen's TED talk may be a few months old, his message continues to resonate as concerns around climate change grow worldwide.

The total energy imbalance now is about six-tenths of a watt per square meter. That may not sound like much, but when added up over the whole world, it's enormous. It's about 20 times greater than the rate of energy use by all of humanity. It's equivalent to exploding 400,000 Hiroshima atomic bombs per day 365 days per year. That's how much extra energy Earth is gaining each day. ~ James Hansen

"Mysteriously hidden within each of us are the seeds that can germinate into a new society, a new planet. Like the corn, we have hidden deep within our living process a wisdom that reaches back to all knowledge and beyond all possibilities.... We have the wisdom of the ancestors reaching back to the mighty power of all creation... within us."  - Anne Wilson Schaef

The video to Beastie Boys' classic anthem "Sabotage" features the three members donning sunglasses and fake moustaches as they race around a city creating a ruckus. Now, the spirit lives on as children remake the music video. 

Today, Lightside Games debuts a new video game they’re calling “the first-ever video game based on Jesus.” Journey of Jesus: The Call is available now through Facebook, and is an opportunity for people to take a virtual walk in Jesus’ steps in first century Palestine. But the fun continues as you heal the sick, walk on water, and make your way to the cross. We're not sure what happens after that, but we're guessing a resurrection sequel.

Read more from Time and play the life changing game on Facebook here.

Dear Lord, our hearts grieve as we witness the escalating violence and needless deaths in Syria. We pray for a speedy resolution to the political crisis and wisdom for the governments involved. Lord, may Christians, Muslims and all people of faith in Syria unite to build peace and justice for all. Amen. Adapted from the Methodist Church in Britain's Prayer for Syria